Adoptive Parent Resources / Choosing Adoption

Common Concerns about Adoption

Common Concerns about Adoption

Whatever concerns you have as you make your way through the adoption process, we are here to support you every step of the way. The road can be rough, but we believe the end result is worth every moment!

Concerns During the Adoption Process

For most families, the adoption process can be complicated, stressful, and emotional. As you begin your journey, be prepared for the possibility of the following issues to come up during the adoption process:

  • You may feel anxious and stressed and have difficulty going about your day-to-day activities.
  • The home study process can be intrusive and lengthy, and it might bring up issues you may not have fully resolved.
  • You’re likely to experience long periods of waiting, often with uncertain outcomes.
  • Depending on your situation, the final cost of your adoption can be substantial.
  • There’s always the possibility of an adoption plan failing, usually because the biological parents change their mind.

Concerns After Adoption

For most families, the hardest part is the adoption process itself; however, as you settle into life as an adopted parent, you should be prepared to address or come to terms with the following concerns that may arise after you adopt:

  • Feeling that you're not the "real" parent of your baby
  • Worries about biological or genetic influences
  • Talking with your child and others about the adoption
  • Relations with the birth family

If your choice to adopt came about after battling infertility, there are some added concerns to consider:

  • What if we conceive after we've adopted? Will it be a good thing?
  • Do we consider adoption a "second best" alternative to having a biological child?
  • Have we sufficiently dealt with our grief over our infertility, any losses we may have experienced, and losing our dream of a biological child?

Before you move forward with the adoption process, it’s important to think about these concerns, discuss them with your partner, and make sure you’re fully prepared for everything that’s involved in the adoption process.

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