| 1. Set clear goals for yourself; determine exactly | | | | information is clearly available online. With the flood of |
| what you want. For example: toadopt a child under | | | | emails andcalls an office receives, there is only so |
| five years old from Korea or a healthy newborn in | | | | much time one can take to answer questions. |
| the United States. | | | | Potential adoptive parents should make sure these |
| Start research on the type of adoption professional | | | | are important questions that pertainto areas not |
| who can help you accomplish this. | | | | covered in the literature or on the web site. |
| 2. Determine the steps you have to take in order to | | | | 9. When you do meet with an adoptive professional, |
| reach your goal of adopting. | | | | tell him or her clearly thatyou are dedicated to |
| List obstacles you may have to overcome (financial | | | | building your family through adoption and you have a |
| limitations, age etc.) | | | | fewquestions. Let them know you would very much |
| 3. Identify the resources and expertise you will need | | | | appreciate a little guidance and advicethat would help |
| to acquire to overcome theobstacles between you | | | | you move closer to your goal. Ask for a specific |
| and your goals. You can't seek out an adoption | | | | answer to a question ordirection on where to go to |
| professionalunless you know what sort of adoption | | | | get the answer: a book, tape, or web site for |
| you want. | | | | example. Makesure to ask a specific question that |
| 4. Search the Internet and follow through with | | | | you haven't been able to have answered in |
| referrals from other adoptiveparents. Select the | | | | researchor that is personal to your situation (i.e. you |
| most successful people in the areas in which you | | | | are stationed overseas and want to knowhow to |
| need help withyour adoption. | | | | proceed, you have been married only one year and |
| 5. Join positive email lists, support groups and team | | | | are not sure if the adoptionprofessional or |
| up with others that have thesame goals and are | | | | organization has restrictions on length of marriage.) |
| supportive of adoption. | | | | 10. Thank them by email or note for their time and |
| 6. Once you have become involved, volunteer to | | | | guidance. Mention that youhope you'll be able to work |
| monitor boards or chat groups,and become actively | | | | together. |
| involved in activity of these groups. You'll learn much | | | | 11. Once you are working with a professional, keep in |
| more aboutthe adoption process and meet the kind | | | | touch, but don't nag them. |
| of people that can help you. | | | | Ask how often you should check in and with whom |
| 7. Research, study and apply what you learn to | | | | will you speak. If you can check in byemail and your |
| continually increase yourknowledge of the process of | | | | professional has the time to respond by email that |
| adoption. Listen to programs such as the topics on | | | | might work for you. Ifnot, an occasional phone call |
| The very best professionals are going to be | | | | may work better. Report back to your professional if |
| interested inhelping you if they feel you are | | | | anychanges have occurred (i.e. you have found a |
| completely dedicated to becoming an adoptive | | | | child through another source, or you arein need of a |
| parentand willing to take the steps needed. You may | | | | break from the adoption because of an emergency, |
| show your dedication by followingthrough in a timely | | | | etc.) |
| fashion, developing a plan and sticking to each step | | | | 12. Be willing to help others, perhaps as a reference |
| without givingup. There is nothing that will attract | | | | for your adoption professional,by speaking to other |
| people to you faster than by being enthusiasticabout | | | | families. The more open you are to helping the |
| what you are doing and making adoption your priority | | | | process along foryourself and others, the more |
| at this time in your life. | | | | others will be open to helping you. Learn from others |
| 8. When you find a potential adoption professional, | | | | thathave been through adoption and share your |
| don't drive them nuts by beinga nuisance. Instead, | | | | knowledge with people interested inadoption. Educate |
| ask for 15 minutes of their time by phone, in person, | | | | the public on how different adoption is today, and |
| or by email toask questions you still have after doing | | | | that it is veryneeded and appreciated by all that are |
| your research. I am always surprised when | | | | touched by adoption. |
| wereceive emails from visitors to our site that ask | | | | Whatever adoption you decide to pursue, be sure |
| simple questions that are answered onthe FAQs page | | | | that you have done your homework. |
| / but they just don't want to read it. | | | | You will find you have fewer surprises when you |
| Mostprofessionals are very busy with their practice | | | | know what to expect: the risks in someadoptions, |
| whether it is facilitating, law, or preparinghome | | | | time frames, and the cost variance in each adoption. |
| studies. They are bothered by people who take up a | | | | With planning, you willbe on your way to a smoother |
| lot of their time askingquestions when the | | | | adoption and hopefully enjoyable journey. |