Adoption is affordable - Part 1

(This post has been weeks, maybe even months, in the making.  I have so much to say on this topic that it will be posted in installments.)

When we first adopted our youngest son, I was amazed at how many people mentioned their own desire to adopt.  Yet, without fail almost every person voiced the same concern.  "We really want to adopt, but it's just too expensive."  I want to dispel the myth that adoption has to be expensive.  Obviously, if we can do it - so can you!

Private infant adoption and international adoption can be costly.  We chose to adopt through the foster care system.  Staying local cuts obvious costs like flights and hotels, as well as other costs involved such as international fees and visas.  The main cost difference between private and foster care adoption is that the government pays most of the fees associated with adoption through foster care.

That doesn't mean it is free, but it is significantly less expensive.  All adoptions start with the same costs - a home study.  The home study will involve background checks, finger printing, home fire safety inspection, CPR/First Aid training, and possible other small costs.  There are many factors but you should estimate about $1,000 to cover all of the costs.  Once your home study is finished there are few if any costs involved in an adoption through foster care.

However, cost is only one of many considerations when adopting.  I think there is a stigma in adopting from foster care.  I have heard things such as: "Aren't they all special needs?"  "Don't they all have problems?"  "I heard you can only adopt teenagers."  I'm sure most people are well-meaning, but honestly my biological children have problems and one has a learning disability.  That doesn't mean anything to me.  A child in foster care has obviously had a disadvantage in life - they have experienced great loss at an early age.  This is true in every adoption story.

The subject of age is another matter.  It is true that adopting an infant from foster care is unlikely.  That is because the system of foster care is always hoping for reunification.  By the time it is obvious that reunification is impossible, most children are older.  There are times when parents willingly relinquish an infant, but more often than not legally free (adoptable) children are already over the age of 4.

My husband was so over diapers and potty training and  sleepless nights that a 4-year-old sounded just about right.  Our youngest was 8 at the time, so we wanted a child under 8.  No problem, within six weeks of finishing all of the paperwork we were told that a special little 5-year-old would be our son.  Every story and situation is different, but if you are not pursuing adoption because of the cost, be encouraged.  Adoption is affordable!!