Thinking of adopting and need advice! Thanks!

Katelyn - posted on 07/03/2011

I'm a birth mother, adoptive mother, and biological mother. A mother's love doesn't change because the child came into your life a different way. It is always the same. You will love the child no matter how you become a family it's all built around love.

Anne - posted on 06/28/2011

We have one adopted child and one biological. We love them both to death!! Even though they look different (one is biracial, the other white, blond and blue eyed), we feel no different toward either of them and they are true brother and sister.

Debbie - posted on 05/27/2011

Yes you will love your adopted baby and bond to him/her. However, as an adoptive mother of 2 kids, I must warn you that adoption is not for "the weak of heart" Yes. you will have to worry about all kinds of prenatal things. Even if the baby and mother test (-) for HIV of HepC. There is a good chance your baby has been exposed to cigarettes., alcohol, etc. in utero. Before you even get close to adopting you have to be willing to deal with whatever comes your way and that can be ANYTHING!

Carolyn - posted on 05/17/2011

My children are both adopted. Yes you will love them just the same as long as you treat them the same. Most of my family accepted my children as family easily. I only have one sister in law that seems to have a problem with the boys and it seems to lie in the fact that her son is the oldest biological grandchild but our two children are older than him. My nephew doesn't seem to care. In fact my older son graduated from high school tonight and my nephew was there to help him celebrate.



And it is legitimate to be concerned about drug babies but it doesn't happen in every case. And most often if you do get one they will be given medical care and a subsidy until the child turns 18. (This is not guaranteed but if the child is deemed special needs then you probably will get help.)



As the parent of children adopted at older ages please think about older kids too. Many of them linger in foster care for a long time because no one wants an older child they want a baby. And there aren't a lot of babies coming into care straight out of the hospital. Now don't get me wrong, there are some but they are never ready for adoption immediately and there are no guarantees.



Good luck with your decision. If you have further questions ask a social worker for the county if they would put you in contact with some foster or adoptive parents in your community.

Jessica - posted on 05/06/2011

I think if you are open to bringing a child into your home, you will love it like your own. My son is adopted and is my only child at this point, but I found that I love him just as if I carried him myself. I almost consider my "pregnancy" as the time I searched for him and the events that led me to the day he was born. I think it's a fantastic idea. I found that my entire family embraced my son as well. They make no distinctions that he is not blood related.

As far as the concerns about drugs, etc, those are very legitimate. If you adopt through the foster care system, many of those children have major disabilities or other issues that require the right situation and people. I adopted privately, and the birthmother states the only "bad" thing she did during the pregnancy was smoking. Thus far, my son shows no signs of fetal drug or alcohol issues. I recommend going through an agency that will match you or if you are able to find someone who would like a private adoption, that would be your best bet. In those cases, you are more likely to get a newborn, but it can be an emotional journey.

Do your homework: check out different agencies, websites, and put feelers out to learn more about the process. Good luck in your journey. It is well worth it!