Comments on The Mom With Brownies: HOW MUCH DOES ADOPTION COST?

Mrs Spangelo, I understand your unique situation....

2009-12-14T08:36:14.916-05:00

Mrs Spangelo,

I understand your unique situation. Being a military family you are probably not able to be foster parents. I am guessing that you move too much to be licensed for foster care?

My post is about asking people to consider foster parenting so that children who come up for adoption will be able to be adopted by their foster family. You are correct in your understanding that Foster Parents have the first priority when choosing to adopt their foster child. There are good reasons for this.

The child has been living in their home for a year or so and has attached to the parents and the family.

The family has bonded with the child and created a familiar, loving environment for the child.

The Foster Family has "first dibs" on adopting their foster child because it is the least traumatic for the child in question. If the foster family cannot adopt, then the children would be passed around yet again causing more harm to them psychologically.

It is true; If you are trying to adopt from Foster Care WITHOUT becoming a foster parent, it could take many years to get a child, however, if you become a foster parent, you get to be a PARENT right away and eventually keep the children who come up for adoption.

For those of us who want to be parents, as adults, we can handle allowing some of the children to go back home because in the long run, God will place our "forever child(ren" in our arms in His timing. And that, is worth waiting for...while we give of ourselves to children in need while we wait.

I just want to point out that the wait can be long...

2009-12-13T21:34:15.474-05:00

I just want to point out that the wait can be long when adopting from foster care and usually the foster parent gets percedence over "adopt only" families and sometimes finalizing an adoption can take a few years. It is also a lot harder for military families. My husband and I have tried to adopt from foster care for 4 years and needless to say we have no children. I wish everyone luck on adopting from foster care. After our latest issues that we've had with the foster care system, my husband and i will be adopting internationally.

This is a great post, Shelly! With the impending ...

2009-11-27T21:33:55.233-05:00

This is a great post, Shelly! With the impending new addition to our family I find myself thinking on occasion whether or not God has intentions of blessing us with more than one unexpected special delivery. It's great to have you as a resource!

Thank you. I felt led to write it. I just have su...

2009-11-24T01:09:55.822-05:00

Thank you. I felt led to write it. I just have such a passion for foster families and children who need loving parents. I was just hoping to put one more stepping stone out there for someone who may be deciding if this is the path for them. :o)

Beautifully written. We have adopted twice throug...

2009-11-21T16:22:49.523-05:00

Beautifully written. We have adopted twice through a private agency, one that thankfully is not very expensive, but have decided if we are ever in a position to adopt again it would most likely be through foster care. Right now we know we don't have the space for another child (based on the sq ft requirements).

okay, so i'm totally sold on your site just fr...

2009-11-18T09:39:22.214-05:00

okay, so i'm totally sold on your site just from this one post - hard to explain why - just suffice it to say that this post really touched and stirred something within me - wishing i could reach out and give you a virtual hug!

jenn

I will be bookmarking this one. Wonderfully said ...

2009-11-11T23:51:01.727-05:00

I will be bookmarking this one. Wonderfully said Shelly. You really do need to write a book someday. :)