The Ultimate Contemplating Adoption Quiz

Many people adopt as a “second-best” to having a biological child. Before you consider adoption, you should thoroughly and properly grieve the loss of not being able to have a biological child of your own.

Many people believe that a child can fix relationship difficulties. It's important to resolve your relationship troubles with your partner before you bring an adopted child into your family.

Raising a child to age 17 is expensive, between $140,000 and $290,000. Expenses range from education to food to health insurance. Consider the price tag associated with raising a child before you adopt.

Everything changes when you have a child. Nothing is the same. Consider what significant changes may occur to your lifestyle before you adopt.

Consider taking some parenting classes to get a better handle on the changes that occur when you have a child.

If you adopt, your child will not share the same genetics as you. You may also miss out on important developmental milestones and parent-child experiences, like pregnancy, birth, and infant bonding.

Although laws vary from state to state, most adult adoptees do not have any access to their biological birth parents or related information, like their original birth certificate. In a closed adoption, these documents are typically sealed.

It's best to get a good handle on the adoption laws of your state and the state that you are adopting from. An adoption lawyer or an adoption agency can help you with this.

In the past, most adoptions were closed. Today, you have the option of closed, semi-open and open adoptions. This is a very important decision to make, so think it through thoroughly.

The criteria set out for a semi-open adoption depends on the desires of the adoptive and birth parents. A semi-open adoption can include contact between the adoptive and birth parents before and/or after the birth of the child.

Regardless of signed legal documents before birth, an unborn baby belongs to the biological parents.

Some adoptive parents prefer adopting an older child. Consider that an older child may have memories of their birth parents and/or negative experiences associated with being in foster care or an orphanage.

Make sure to voice your wishes about race, ethnicity and special needs to your adoption lawyer or your adoption agency.

The requirements for adopting a special needs child are typically relaxed. This means that a single parent or an older couple interested in adopting may be more likely to qualify for adopting a child with special needs.

Broach the topic of adoption with your family and friends before the adoption process is finalized. Your family and friends may have helpful advice or they may want to voice their own concerns.

Be prepared for unwanted feedback from family and friends, especially if you adopt internationally. Transracial and transcultural adoptions may not be entirely accepted or supported in your social circle.

Keep your ground and stick to your guns. Take this opportunity to educate your friends and family about adoption and your desires to a raise an adopted child.

Even complete strangers are going to voice their opinion from time to time. You may also experience inappropriate comments from your co-workers and boss. It's best to develop strategies to effectively handle these situations.

Of utmost important is to consider your child's privacy and feelings when approached by strangers. Strangers typically make inappropriate statements out of ignorance.

Begin talking about adoption at an early age, making sure to use age appropriate content and language.