In today’s adoptions, you don’t have to be married to adopt; actually, single parent adoption is more common now than any other time. In 2011, over thirteen thousand single women and fourteen hundred single men became parents because of adoption, and reports show that children of these parents grow up to be just as joyful and prosperous as children in conventional two parent households. Being a pregnant woman thinking adoption for your unborn baby, you control the kind of family or single parent you’re going to want to place your child with. When you’re thinking about raising a child in a single-parent household, keep reading to discover more concerning adding to your family through a single parent adoption.
Am I Ready to Adopt?
By understanding what to anticipate in single parent adoptions, you can establish if you are ready to take the next step and start your adoption journey. Prior to you starting the adoption process, be sure you’re prepared for single parent adoption by taking into consideration the below:
Time Management
Handling daily life is challenging for any parent; for adoptive single parents, this challenge is amplified. You need to make time for work, care for the child’s needs, dedicate time for bonding, and still take time to care for yourself on top of all that. In many cases, you might want to call on the assistance of your loved ones for things such as babysitting or running errands. When you have a demanding job or other responsibilities, having a support system can be indispensable.
Finances
It is vital for parents in single income households to be prepared for unforeseen financial changes. When you are getting ready to adopt, be sure that you have a plan for dealing with challenges or emergencies; thorough financial planning is also going to show a potential birth mother that you are able to provide every possible chance for her child. You are also going to want to plan on taking time off from work when you’re bringing your child home. Talk with your employer concerning your adoption plan in advance and determine if you have access to employer offered adoption perks.
Dating and Relationships
For those single parents that are adopting or wanting to adopt, it might be a good idea to put going on dates on the back burner for a little bit. In doing so, it can be favorable for you and your child both throughout and after the adoption. When waiting to adopt, it is important to take into consideration potential birth mothers that are seeking a family for their child. When your relationship standing is as clear as day, the birth mother is going to be able to better visualize what her child’s life is going to be like in your home.
Following you bringing your adopted baby home, you can continue to benefit from staying single while you and the baby adapt to your new family dynamic. You are going to be able to dedicate more of your time for bonding and becoming familiar with your baby. After you know that you are in a good place for bringing a child into your home, you can advance to the legal adoption requirements.
Single Parent Adoption Requirements
When you wish to adopt domestically, there aren’t any legal requirements that would stop you from adopting being a single parent. Some of the requirements that impact eligibility for any adoptive parents could comprise of:
- Age – Many states have a minimum age requirement for adoptive parents, and others necessitate that the parent be a particular number of years older than the adoptive child.
- Sexual orientation – A couple of states forbid adoption based on sexual orientation, including Arkansas and Alabama.
- Criminal record – Whereas a criminal record does not directly prevent someone from adopting, any convictions are going to be taken into consideration. Those with a history of any type of sex offense can’t adopt under any circumstances.
- State residence – Certain states require you to be a resident for the purpose of adopting a child; these states can additionally have exceptions, like in the cases of special needs adoptions.
How Do Single Parents Adopt?
The process of single parent adoption is going to be different subject to what kind of adoption you decide on. Various kinds of adoptions have distinctive requirements and procedures for single parents:
- Foster Care Adoptions –Foster care adoption is a prevalent choice for single parents, with 30% of such adoptions in 2011. It’s also suitable for adopting older children who can’t reunite with their birth family.
- International Adoptions – For single parents, international adoption is only permitted in specific countries. When opting for international adoption, ensure you comprehend the laws of the chosen country and meet the necessary qualifications.
- Domestic Infant Adoptions – Contrary to concerns, birth parents are interested in adopting with single parents. Agencies specializing in single parent matching can assist.
Advice For Single Parent Adoptions
Source:
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Can single parents adopt a child?: Considering adoption. Considering Adoption |. (2021, October 8). Retrieved March 3, 2022, from https://consideringadoption.com/adopting/types-of-adoption/can-single-parents-adopt-a-child/
