Deciding Between Domestic or International Adoption: Part 2

In Part 1, we identified three areas to consider before you started the adoption process. By examining the type of child you hoped to adopt, the amount of background information you wanted or were comfortable receiving, and identifying any limitations on travel for the adoption, you choose your path to parenthood or to enlarging your […]

Deciding Between Domestic or International Adoption: Part 1

Making this decision is important at the start of your adoption journey. It will determine with whom you will work and insure that you are pursuing the right adoption path in building your family.  Three issues are critical at this point in the process: AGE OF CHILD DESIRED If you are looking to adopt a newborn […]

What is Embryo Adoption?

Embryo adoption, also called embryo donation, is a way for a hopeful mother to become pregnant and carry her adopted child to birth. Donated embryos provide a chance for waiting parents to have child and save unused embryos from being destroyed. You may have heard these babies called “snowflake babies.” This phrase comes from Nightlight, […]

Are We Too Old to Adopt?

You have decided to adopt and wonder if your age will stand in the way. But before we get to the specifics of adopting, it is important to examine why you have decided to adopt now. Did you delay parenting to pursue your career? Found your soul mate or spouse recently? Pursued fertility treatments for […]

Who Can Foster and Adopt?

In order to assure that children in state care are going to stable homes where they will be well cared for, there are several qualifications an individual must meet in order to be considered as a foster or adoptive placement. Foster or adoption can be done by individuals (whether single, widowed, or divorced) or married […]

Talking (Too Much or Too Little) About Adoption

Sometimes I wonder if I talk about adoption enough—or too much. I started talking about adoption even before my daughters understood the word. I wanted to be comfortable. I would sometimes just repeat a phrase like “I am so happy I adopted you” or “I can’t believe adoption works.” As my kids got older and […]

Gender Selection in Adoption

You’ve waited a long time to have a child. You have hoped, dreamed and planned for years. You have decided to adopt and now the time has come to start the process. You always pictured yourself with a little girl, buying pretty dresses, doing her hair and playing dress up. He has always envisioned a […]

Do Adoptive Parents Provide Financial Support for a Birth Mother?

In the majority of states, adoptive parents can pay for “customary and reasonable” adoption related expenses. All expenses are reviewed by courts and in the case of interstate adoptions, the Interstate Compact on the placement of Children (ICPC), who authorizes a child to move from the state where they were born to the state of […]

Talking to Children About Adoption: 10-13 Years Old

Preteens are struggling with identity. They are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. As they spend more and more time away from their families, they are influenced by peers and other adults. They are being exposed to new ideas and behaviors. In turn, they are thinking things through and […]