| If a couple has been trying for sometime to conceive | | | | * * Employment Stability |
| and have done everything they could to do so, then | | | | The cost of adoption depends on how they choose |
| maybe they could consider adoption. | | | | to proceed. If they use the US foster care system, |
| There are so many babies and children in the world | | | | there is little or almost no cost to the adoptive |
| looking for a mother and father. Couples can choose | | | | parents. In some states, subsidies are offered. |
| to adopt a child in their home country or one from | | | | Stepparent or kinship adoptions usually cost up to |
| abroad. There have been those couples who have | | | | $2,500. |
| adopted children from several different countries. The | | | | Using an agency, private or international adoption can |
| highest profile adoptions recently have been Angelina | | | | cost up to $30,000. |
| Jolie and Meg Ryan. Angelina adopted a little boy, | | | | Benefits: You control the search process and the |
| Maddox, from Cambodia and a little girl, Zahara, from | | | | degree of openness with the birthparents, have |
| Ethopia. Meg Ryan adopted a little girl from China. | | | | direct contact with the birthparents, and aren?t |
| Adoption is not an easy process. There are many | | | | restricted by agency requirements. |
| requirements that the adoptive couple will have to | | | | Risks: Costs are less predictable, as extensive |
| meet before they are allowed to move forward with | | | | advertising and medical expenses can drive up costs. |
| the adoption. Here is a list showing some of the | | | | Length of time to find a birthmother is unpredictable. |
| criteria: | | | | As with an agency adoption, a birthparent can |
| * * Marital Status | | | | change her mind. |
| * * Length of Marriage | | | | Here are some good resources with information |
| * * Age of Adoptive Parents | | | | about adoption: National Adoption Center, National |
| * * Health and Disabilities Issues of Adoptive Parents | | | | Council for Adoption, American Adoption Congress. |
| * * Use of Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco | | | | Regardless how the couple decides to adopt, the |
| * * Fertility Status | | | | important fact is that they and their new child will be |
| * * Other Children in the Family | | | | on their way to a nurturing and loving relationship. |
| * * Financial Status | | | | |