| Adopting a toddler can be very rewarding, however, | | | | whether they have a scarred past. |
| it's not always a box of chocolates. Did you know | | | | Learn as much as possible about the child prior to |
| that at least half of all adoptive parents try to adopt | | | | adopting them. Some parents have adopted severely |
| a toddler for one reason or another? | | | | abused children, only to undergo some pretty |
| Some think that they would not want to miss out on | | | | traumatic experiences. They later discovered that |
| witnessing the imaginative nature of a toddler. For | | | | their expectations of warm hugs and tiny welcoming |
| others, it is their intention to adopt an infant, but due | | | | hands weren't exactly met. |
| to unexpected delays in the adoption process | | | | Months of unexpected fits of anger and temper |
| (especially international adoptions), the baby will grow | | | | tantrums from the child have shocked them. They |
| up and become a toddler by the time the adoption is | | | | are not taking into account that this is just how |
| final. | | | | toddlers act on occasion and some much more often |
| If you are adopting a toddler you have several | | | | than others. Getting use to change and a new |
| options. You can adopt a child internationally or | | | | environment is especially difficult for them. |
| domestically. Between these two types of adoptions | | | | As a potential adoptive parent for an adopted |
| you can choose either a public or a private adoption | | | | toddler, you will be required to have a lot of time and |
| agency to work with. | | | | patience to build an attachment and relationship with |
| The prices will differ drastically between private and | | | | the child. |
| public agencies. If you adopt domestically and go with | | | | You can take a leave from work so that you can |
| a public adoption agency, your costs will be very little, | | | | devote your time fully as a parent to this toddler. |
| whereas, a private adoption can reach as high as | | | | You should be elegible for adoption leave (similar to |
| $30,000! | | | | maternity leave). |
| It's really up to you as to the type of toddler | | | | You may also need to make some changes |
| adoption option you will choose. Think about what | | | | personally. For example, you will want to be physically |
| you can afford, and consider the requirements of the | | | | fit enough to meet the demands of this new |
| adoption agency you pick. | | | | endeavor. Toddlers do not usually adjust easily, they |
| You will find that adopting a toddler is a much more | | | | are quite a bundle of energy, and so you must be |
| pleasurable experience if you can prepare the child | | | | able to have the stamina and endurance to stay |
| during the adoption process. For example, you could | | | | strong and firm in order to establish an attachment |
| send the toddler pictures or better still, you could see | | | | with the child as well as authority. |
| about arranging to have visits with them as | | | | It would probably be a good idea to get together |
| frequently as possible before you bring them home | | | | with other parents who have adopted toddlers, so |
| with you permanently. | | | | that they can share some of their experiences with |
| You may think you are prepared, however, for the | | | | you. Receiving support from others can be helpful in |
| toddler the transition will be extra difficult. Expect to | | | | dealing with the transition phase more effectively. |
| be severely tested, take into account, of course, | | | | |