| Each year, millions of North Americans consider | | | | devote to a child and how involved his or her |
| adopting a child. Unfortunately, many rule out | | | | challenges are. Usually you can get the knowledge |
| adoption due to lack of knowledge or fears of what | | | | you need to raise a child with special needs from |
| they will encounter during the process. As a result, | | | | your doctor, specialists with your local school district, |
| people's dreams of having a family aren't realized and | | | | and from online sites parents and professionals have |
| children needing homes remain in orphanages or | | | | created. Of course, the most important part is to |
| foster care. | | | | know what you're prepared to handle before you |
| The good news is that there are many excellent | | | | adopt, and work with your adoption professional to |
| resources available to help guide you on your journey | | | | find the right match for you and your new child. |
| including some that allow you to learn about adoption | | | | 4. "How will a child fit into my family?" Adopted |
| from experts in the privacy of your own home. | | | | children blend into a family just like a biological child |
| Moreover, many of the things that prospective | | | | does. Once you get past the initial getting acquainted |
| adoptive parents fear about the adoption process | | | | period, your adopted child will seem as naturally a |
| turn out to either not to be problems at all or can be | | | | part of your family as any child ever could. Plus, there |
| addressed if you're willing to keep your options open. | | | | are plenty of families with both adopted and biological |
| Here are five common concerns and their answers: | | | | children. |
| 1. "I would like a baby, but all our state adoption | | | | 5. "How will an adopted child impact my life?" Virtually |
| agency has are older children." At first, it may seem | | | | everyone says their child enriched their life far more |
| impossible to adopt an infant or even a child under | | | | than they ever imagined. There are very few "sure |
| five. Private agencies, religious-related organizations, | | | | things" in life, but the joy and love an adopted child |
| private adoptions, and foreign countries often offer | | | | brings you are about as certain as anything can be. |
| infants and younger children. | | | | Most people have lots of reservations when they |
| 2. "Local adoption agencies say I'm too old to adopt." | | | | start thinking about adoption. Adopting an older child, |
| While it's true that there are rules on age, they vary | | | | a child with special needs, or a child of another race |
| widely. The age restrictions of your state agency will | | | | or nationality all bring their own questions and |
| likely vary from that of a private agency or that of | | | | concerns. Let me assure you that this only normal - |
| foreign countries such as Russia, China, Korea, and | | | | and you are not alone. However, do not let these |
| Guatemala. Some look at the ages of both of the | | | | fears keep you from exploring your dream of |
| perspective parents, others only one. If you keep | | | | starting or growing your family. |
| your options open there's almost certainly a path for | | | | Adoption is one of life's most wonderful endeavors. |
| you to adopt. | | | | If you are thinking about adopting a child, please take |
| 3. "Will I be able to handle a special needs child?" The | | | | time to get answers to your questions. There are a |
| answer to this question largely depends on how | | | | number of top sites, fellow parents, and accessible |
| much time, knowledge, and energy you have to | | | | experts who are ready to help you. |