Adopting a child is a huge decision. You have to make many choices once you decide this is what you want to do. You have two general ways to adopt. You can go through a private service or adopt from the foster system. The New York Times explains adoption from the...
Adoption
4 advantages of open adoption
In the past, the prevailing wisdom was that when a birthmother put a baby up for adoption, separating the two and sealing the birth records should happen as soon as possible before they had a chance to bond. Sealing the birth records happens in a closed adoption. An...
What are some guidelines for adoption home studies?
To ensure an adopted child is entering a loving and supportive situation, social workers must perform an evaluation of the home and family. An adoption home study is a type of screening that assesses the home environment to establish the level of care a new child...
Helping your children welcome an adopted sibling
The anticipation of adopting a new family member can make your children both excited and anxious. Acknowledging that your family dynamic will change can help everyone prepare to welcome an adopted child. You can prepare your children using a variety of strategies....
Considerations for adopting an older child
Adoption is a beautiful practice. However, it brings several complications you must consider before committing. One aspect to consider is the child's age and how that affects the environment you want to raise them in. If you want to expand your family, do not discount...
What are common legal issues during adoption?
Adoption can be a beautiful thing, but getting to the point where you finalize all the legal aspects can be stressful. The ultimate goal is to provide a child with a loving and secure home, but that means jumping through many legal hopes. FindLaw explains adoption...
How can you discuss adoption with your children?
In the U.S., there are about 2.1 million adopted children. If you adopted your child, you may not know when to start discussing adoption or how to approach the subject. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you need to introduce the idea of adoption as...
How does the state terminate parental rights for adoption?
Adopting a child is something that you must take very seriously. It is a huge duty to undertake. Because adoption is such an important task, the state has set some strict standards you must meet to become an adoptive parent. The state also ensures there is a severing...
How can you help adopted children cope with loss?
Adopting a child will be one of the most fulfilling moments of your life. You know that you want to give him or her the best life possible, but adoption also comes with specific challenges. Many children experienced traumatic loss or separation before adoption. The...
Stepparent adoption and the role of biological grandparents
Your stepchild's biological parent must lose parental rights before you can proceed with the stepparent adoption. Regardless of the situation between the parent and child, the ending of the relationship with other biological family members such as grandparents may...