For a single woman, adopting a child is not impossible, but it is often a difficult and demanding process. Your chances of adoption will greatly increase if you take some time to explore all the issues you may face after starting the process.
Steps
Step 1. Prepare for the needs of a single parent
If you are reading this article, you have already made the decision to adopt. Go beyond your decision and explore the needs of single parenthood. Learn about the strategies other single women are devising. In other words, fully examine what you can expect as a woman about to become a single parent. This way you will be able to adequately address any concerns that the agency may raise.
Step 2. Make a list of adoption agencies that allow single parents to adopt
Many agencies won't consider a single parent, so narrow your search to those that have the willingness and ability to work with you. A good place to start is the Adoptive Families Circle and the Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare Information Gateway website. of the United States. These are two websites that can direct you to single parent adoption agencies. These and other sites also contain comments from other single adoptive parents, which will save you a tremendous amount of time in your initial searches.
Step 3. Probably, your best adoption chances will arise internationally
Outside the United States, the process tends to be shorter, and you are more likely to be able to adopt a small child or baby. According to Children's Hope International, biological mothers in the United States are less likely to choose a single parent for their child's adoption.
Step 4. Be prepared to undergo a psychosocial investigation
Such a survey is a detailed assessment of you and your family environment, and is required for all adoptions. This assessment is done for the purpose of determining your eligibility and suitability to assume the role of a single adoptive parent. Here's what you need to know about a psychosocial investigation.
- Detailed information about your social status will be collected. This will include your medical and financial records, as well as your personal and professional references. The psychosocial investigation is generally conducted by a court-appointed appraiser, a licensed social worker, and an official from the children's social services or licensed adoption agency.
- You will need to meet with the appraiser, at least once at your home and up to three more times, to discuss the entire adoption process. The appraiser will also evaluate the neighborhood in which you live. If you are hoping to adopt a school-age child, schools in your area will also be evaluated.
- At the end of the evaluation process, you will be given a copy of the results. This document will include the assessor's conclusions and recommendations.
- Costs related to a psychosocial investigation vary widely and can be as high as $ 2,000. The final cost is determined by the expert's travel expenses and all expenses incurred to carry out the verification of criminal records and child abuse.
Step 5. Be resourceful
Evaluate your finances, as well as the support of your family and friends. Show the agency and psychosocial survey expert that you have studied all aspects of the adoption process and the obstacles you may face.
Advice
- Be mentally and emotionally prepared to receive a lot of rejection from biological agencies and mothers. Since single women are not the kind of family preferred by adoption agencies, you must have the physical and emotional strength to make it to the end of the journey.
- Before and after adoption, seek advice on websites such as the "I am a Single Mother" discussion forum and chat. Sites like this one can offer support, advice, and encouragement from other single mothers.
- While not exclusively aimed at single parents, Adopting.org is a great website to visit in search of resources, information and support for both national and international adoptions.
- If you are planning to adopt a child who is over 3-4 years old, the adoption agency will most likely arrange a series of pre-insertion visits to your home. This will prepare both you and the baby. For more information on how to prepare for these visits, visit Adopting.org.
