What To Know Before Deciding About Child Adoption

This hub is specially dedicated to dingdong for the question "What to know before deciding about adopting?" I have no experience in parenting yet but I have read a lot (and also see a lot) in how to run a family. This hub is mainly on my personal experience as a child of my beloved parents and also my point of view of things to consider before an adoption.

What are there to know before deciding about adopting? Actually, there are 1,001 factors that one would need to consider before adopting a child. However, I have divided them into 8 different sections which I consider the most important things to consider before having an adopted child.

Parenting

Parenting or parenthood is the most important thing in adopting or having children. You got to learn about being a parent and the responsibilities behind it. As a parent, if you are adopting children, then you got to learn about the basic needs of a baby such as care, feeding and even basic developments of the babies and phrases.

Responsibility

As a parent, you will hold great responsibility towards your child. You must be ready to think for them and guide them in terms of education, life and everything in between to ensure they are ready for the world. It is a full time job but if you are ready to accept the responsibility, then you are likely to be ready for having a child.

Pressure

Another great thing to prepare for is pressure from family and friends. Be prepared to answer a lot of questions from them. It is a human nature to be curious. Therefore do not have any grudge at them. You and your partner need to be at least a little prepared for them. A few questions that will be constantly asked by others are:

• How much did you pay for your baby?
• Do you know your child's 'real' family?
• How could the birth mother 'give away' such an adorable baby?

When you are asked a question that are too personal or improper, feel free not to answer it especially if that could compromise your child, the birth mother or even your own privacy. It is your right to protect the child and your family regardless what the question is.

Financial prospect

Are you financially stable for a new member in the family? Baby or young children are a long term investments and if you are not able to afford to have children, you are going into huge debt down the road.

Celebrate two special days in a year

As a parent to an adopted child, get ready to celebrate two special days in a year which is his real birthday date and the date of when he first join the family. However, this is totally optional and also depends if the child is fine regarding the fact that he or she is adopted. Avoid celebrating the date the child join the family if the child feels uncomfortable with it.

Breastfeed

Besides that, not every adoptive moms will be able to breastfeed their baby. If you would like to breastfeed your baby, learn it before the baby arrives under your care. You can always contact a lactation consultant at local hospitals for assistance.

Special because adopted

Just because he or she is adopted, it doesn’t mean that the child is not entitling for care and love parents normally shower their children with. Treat them as your own child and never let the thought of adopted child ruin the relationship and care.

Child awareness

When the child is older, you got to tell him the truth; which is he or she is an adopted child. This is one of the hardest steps as a parent because this will put enormous pressure on the child. You got to prepare for the day and make sure that love and care of the child is not compromised even for a moment in life.

I would like to wish all readers thank you for reading and to all the (future) parents out there, good luck and have faith in yourself. It is always challenging in the beginning but once you reach the end of the tunnel, it will always be rewarding.