The nuclear family including a father, mother and biological children is becoming less of today's ideal. The more contemporary depiction and family can be been exemplified in single-parent adoptions, same-sex adoptions, multi-generational families and blended families. Despite all the benefits of single parent adoptions, the single person often faces the combined scrutiny that two parents would face in a perspective adoptive family that would contain two parents. The decision to adopt as a single parent involves a lot of preparation. To help with taking steps to parenthood there are a few things to help with ease through the process.
- Don't listen to negativity and try to filter conversations that are biased to the idea of a nuclear family being the best way to have a family.
- Try to form a supportive network and if possible seek the support of your family. It does always reflect well on single parent adoptive parents who have a large family to help them when raising their child.
- As a single parent, it’s likely that you’ll be a working parent. Before adopting a child, talk to your boss about your company’s policy regarding sick days and personal leave time. Also, consider the hours spent working and think how can you adjust your schedule to be with your child as much as possible.
- Make sure your adoption profile reflects the strength and stability of your own life even without another parent. When you choose an agency make sure they are doing their best to help you secure that public image.
- Consider adoption and foster care. There are so many children that need the charity of any willing and capable adults to help them while they are under the supervision of the state as well. If an adoption agency isn't something that you can afford, but you can afford to foster, consider all of your options.
- If you’re turned down by the agency or a birthmother, view that experience as a learning opportunity. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt that you were qualified but birthmothers have their own preferences for their children. Don't questions your parenting ability because of one experience that didn't work.
- Adoptions usually involve waiting and the process can be long. You’re not alone in this situation, there are other single parents hoping to adopt so try to connect with people who are experiencing the same as you are.