Fostering a Family

You’re so excited about the prospect of adopting a little baby. But have you given much thought to adopting an older child – perhaps a foster child?
 
May is National Foster Care month. According to Fostercaremonth.org, 114,000 foster children in the U.S. are currently waiting for adoptive homes, and there is more need for adoptive homes than there are adoptive parents available.
 
There are various reasons why people adopt. Some are not able to have children of their own and want to be a parent. Others are seeking to share what they have with those less fortunate, and adopt as an act of philanthropy. We see Angelina Jolie and Madonna crossing the world to help needy children in underdeveloped countries by adopting them. However, these children are not always in need of being adopted, and their parents are sometimes letting them go just so that they can have a better life.
 
Here on the home front are children who are in actual need of parents. Perhaps if you are not so set on a newborn baby, a foster child will be a great addition to your home. Of course, adopting an older child has its own set of considerations that you should familiarize yourself with. Check out the Fostercaremonth.org website’s FAQ and additional information to gain a better understanding of this particular adoption process.
 
If you have adopted a foster child, please share with us your experience. What advice do you have for other parents considering this option?