Question about adopting older children

[LisaN]

Hi, The idea of adoption is a new one to my husband and me but we are starting to look into it. Has anyone adopted older children? I'm saying older but what I mean is a two or three year old. Is it an easier process? I'm getting overwhelmed. I'd love any advice! I just took The Idiots Guide to Adopting out of the library.

Thank you!
Lisa

[PatJohnston]

Most agencies don't consider two or three older. They consider them toddlers or infants. "Older" almost always means school aged--5 and up.

Now, toddler aged children are readily available if you adopt internationally. In fact, most international adoptions are of toddler-aged children (15 months to 3 years.) Domestically there are fewer children toddler aged who are waiting to be adopted, as so many of the children this age have been in foster care and so their foster parents are first choice for adoption if adoption becomes the plan for them. So, often what families do is foster/adoption--usually through the public county agency-- which means that they agree to foster a child who MAY become available for adoption if his birthfamily does not accomplish the tasks the court has set for them to regain custody within a year or so (and many birthfamilies do not accomplish this.)

Pat Johnston

[LisaN]

Pat thank you for your response.

Lisa

[Ireland]

THIS HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL SINCE I HAVE ALSO BEEN THINKING OF ADOPTING A 3-5 YEAR OLD. I DID'NT KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT, TILL NOW, SO I MIGHT HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE FOSTER - ADOPT METHOD.
THANKS