Christian Adoption, Faith Based Adoption Blog - Six Tips for Families Considering Foster-Adoption

Christian Adoption Blog

08/21/06

Six Tips for Families Considering Foster-Adoption

Posted by : Laura Christianson in Christian Adoption Blog at 06:00 am , 409 words, 163 views
Categories: Foster Care

Part 3 of 3

In the previous two posts, I reviewed the children’s book, My Special Someone and chatted with author Sherry Kyle. Today, Sherry offers tips for foster-adopt families:

Foster-adoption is not for the faint of heart. It’s hard. It’s emotionally draining. But it’s also very rewarding when you’re blessed with a child who you know God has for your family. They’re worth the fight.

Attend at least three different adoption agency information meetings, because you see what different agencies have to offer. If you’re a Christian, you might prefer to work with a Christian agency. Look for a good fit between you and your agency.

When you visit the agencies, ask:

What is the geographic range from which children are available (the wider the range, the more opportunities for you to begin fostering a child).

What age range do you see most?

What’s your policy on sibling group adoption?

What limits are there on the ages of children available (for example, some agencies facilitate adoptions of children aged 5 and up; others work with children under age 2).

Is the child a member of a sibling group?

How many prospective parents are in your waiting ‘pool’?

What kind of experience does the staff have with foster-adoption?

Describe the type of personal attention the prospective adoptive family receives.

SPONSOR

Adopt in California

Define the criteria to which you’re open: medical issues; abuse, neglect or abandonment issues; drug exposure; learning disabilities, etc.

Sherry says, “My husband and I prayed every night for specific things we thought we could be open to. But every case is different and unique. Our criteria was to adopt a child who was at least a year younger than our youngest in school. We’re a very active, busy family. We were open to all races, but wanted someone who could pick up and go like the rest of us. We ended up submitting our home study for a child that we probably wouldn’t have at the beginning of the process.”

Don’t be afraid to love your child from the beginning. Adoption professionals recommend, “Don’t fall in love with a picture,” but how can you not?

Stay strong and pray a lot.

Get a support group behind you. Have somebody you can call and talk to during those hard days when the court date didn’t work out. Share information with people who you are certain will be positive and supportive.