| Adopting a child of any age is a very difficult, long | | | | consider; you should most likely give this more |
| process, and it should be an equally well-thought-out | | | | thought if you are having any doubts at all. Maybe |
| personal consideration -- whether you will be a single | | | | youve always dreamed of adopting, even if you had |
| parent, want to adopt a child outside of your native | | | | birth children. Do you still feel that way? What about |
| country, or are already in a marriage with your | | | | your extended family? Will they support your |
| biological children. | | | | decision, and if not, will that matter to you? |
| Here are some of the things you will need to ponder | | | | Another, more obvious red flag is, are you in a |
| to be able to make a fully informed, satisfying | | | | position to financially afford to adopt and raise this |
| decision for both the child or children and yourself and | | | | child? |
| your family. | | | | Financial preparedness is just one aspect; are you |
| For example, do you feel that its possible to love an | | | | also emotionally prepared to be a parent, for either |
| adopted child as much as a birth child? What if this is | | | | the first time or in the case of an additional child? |
| an infertility issue, yet you haven't given up hope | | | | And do you worry about adopting a child who may |
| that one day your family may produce a biological | | | | have serious emotional and/or physical problems, |
| child? How will this interfere, if at all, with your | | | | either now or in the future? |
| feelings toward your adoptive child, should this | | | | Another, last thing, is something many people don't |
| happen? | | | | think about: Are you adopting out of 'guilt,' or do you |
| One red flag should be obvious, but often isn't: Make | | | | believe that adoption is a good thing because it saves |
| absolutely certain that, if you have a partner, he or | | | | a child from a difficult life? |
| she does not have any mixed feelings about | | | | There are a lot of questions associated with |
| adopting, and really would prefer to have birth | | | | adoption, but they are all for the benefit of, first, the |
| children. Make sure you and your partner have | | | | child; and second, you and your family or lifestyle. If |
| thoroughly discussed what you believe it will be like | | | | the two don't connect in a way you find satisfying, it |
| to raise an adopted child. | | | | may be time to seriously reconsider your decision or |
| And even if you 'sometimes' have these same | | | | put it off for another day. Its that important. |
| feelings, thats another really important thing to | | | | |