We all know that going through an adoption process takes both time and effort, but there are plenty of people who make the decision as a single parent. If you follow our advice, chances are you will make the adoption agencies understand your real ability to be the parent you intend to be with or without a partner.
1. Get your finances in order.
Do some research and make a plan for everything, including your finances. It is important to ensure that you will be able to support your child even after taking care of all the adoption fees. Show your agency and the home study evaluator that you have prepared for every aspect of the adoption process.
2. Make sure you have enough time.
As a single parent, chances are that you will have to work while raising your child. Think about your current work schedule and your future career goals because these things should be taken care of before the adoption. Also, talk to your employer about balancing your work and private life, and find out about your chances for health and adoption benefits.
3. Build a solid support system.
Create a close network of friends, family and other parents who can offer you support. It is now much easier to meet other single parents since there are many blogs, forums and support groups. Do your best to find someone who has completed the adoption process as a single parent because other people’s experiences can help you get in control of your situation without much stress.
4. Choose a reliable guardian.
Ask your best friend or someone from your family circle to be your child’s guardian. Unexpected situations may occur and you need to make sure that your child is in good hands. But that is not the only reason why you should do this even before finalizing the adoption process – it will show the agency how serious you are about it.
5. Think of solutions for unexpected scenarios.
What will become of your child if you get sick or something even worse happens to you? And what if the child gets sick? Try to think of as many scenarios as you can. When you are done with listing them, do your best to come up with a solution for each of them. That way, there won’t be any unexpected questions during your interview with the agency.
6. Get familiar with adoption types.
Choosing an adoption type is one of the most important decisions you will need to make. You can adopt domestically, internationally or from foster care, so research each type as much as possible before making your decision.
7. Choose the right agency.
Prepare a list of adoption agencies that specialize in working with single parent adoptions. Choosing the right agency means a lot since people from your agency are going to be your companions during this wonderful journey. And the more they are capable and dedicated, the higher your chances are for adopting a child.
Nowadays you don’t need to be part of a couple to provide your child with everything they might need. And there are plenty of adoption agencies that know this. So do your research, make all the necessary decisions and go for it!
