Chances are that if you have started discussing adoption
with friends and family, you've already been told many tale tales, myths and
lifetime movie plots. The most common
misconception about Domestic Adoption is the wait time. Lay people often mistakenly believe that it
takes years to adopt domestically. Most
are surprised to learn that most families
successfully adopt within two years of beginning the adoption process.
While there are many factors than can affect wait time: how
long it takes to get matched, and how far along the pregnancy is, are the two
most common. Families who have fewer
restrictions can navigate the adoption process faster than families who have
very limited criteria for their adoption match. Criteria that may effect wait time:
- Gender
Selection- Limiting the sex of the child you wish to adopt will increase
wait times. Furthermore, if sex of the baby is “known” there is no
guarantee of accuracy of these tests.
- Race-
Do you wish to adopt a child of the same race or are you open to a
Transracial Adoption.
- Type
of adoption- Closed, versus Semi-Open
- Budget-
An adoption budget needs to include, agency fees, birthmothers expenses,
travel, and possibly attorney fees.
- Geographical
or travel restrictions may limit your ability to pursue an adoption.
Labels: Adoption 101, adoption facts, Babies, Domestic Adoption, Domestic verus International, Infertility, Mom's, Parenting, Positive Words, Pre-adoption Education, Semi-Open Adoption