The Adoption Option

A United Home Front

A basic component of the early adoption process is the home study—a process that may cause angst and leave you doubting your ability to be a fit parent. Relax, as everyone adopting a child undergoes this type of scrutiny! Though home study requirements vary by state, an adoption caseworker—most likely a social worker—will have you fill out forms describing your life, interests and goals in adoption. You’ll be interviewed, your home will be examined, your financial statements reviewed and background checks completed.

Closer to your child’s arrival, prepare your home by painting the room, setting up an appropriately sized bed, amassing toys and books and baby-proofing the entire house.

Schooler recommends finding an active adoption community. Some agencies have begun mentoring programs with experienced adoptive parents. Also, adoption support groups are available, so seek help when you need it.

For Hope and Jay, their sons came to them with a lot of abandonment issues, insecurity and rage. “I’m a social worker, but it’s nothing like living it day in and day out. We had to have support from social workers, psychiatrists and therapists,” she explains.
You never have to go it alone as you adopt a child; seek out the help of others as you create you own loving, dynamic family unit.