So, you’ve finally decided that adoption is the path to parenthood for you and one of the first things you are probably wondering is how to adopt a baby quickly. (Scroll down to the bottom for a bonus download.) If you’re anything like I was, I had been dreaming about becoming a mother for way too many years, then struggled with infertility before even starting the adoption process. I was ready to be a mom RIGHT NOW!
You’ve heard about how long adoption can take…and it can. BUT, the good news is that it doesn’t have to. Seriously. It is VERY possible to adopt a baby in less than a year…or even sooner.
Infant adoption is the most common when adopting privately from an agency or attorney. When you set out on your path, you will have a number of decisions to make both at the beginning and along the way. While you may not incorporate all 15 of these suggestions, if you incorporate most of them, you will put yourself on the fast track to adopting your baby quickly.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s jump in:
Let everyone know of your plans to adopt a baby – you never know who knows who or how you will be matched with the right expectant mother. It’s also great to have that support around you.
Work with a
therapist or a
coach who specializes in adoption to support you emotionally, help you work through your own fears around adoption, making sure you are really ready to move forward, and help you see issues that may arise in the coming days, weeks, months and years, to help you plan for those.
Have your finances in order before you get started – you never want to pass up on an opportunity that might be a great one for your family because you don’t have all your money in place yet. Know where your money will be coming from and once you apply to your agencies, have it at your fingertips and accessible within 1-3 days.
Here are some great fundraising ideas. Work with an
adoption consultant who can educate you about the process of adoption, vet agencies for you to alleviate the time it would take you, help guide you on putting together a killer profile and coach you to alleviate risky situations.
Keep the process moving – there is a lot of prep work involved in adoption. Do something every day to move it forward, and choose an agency that can complete your
home study the quickest (call three and ask what their process is).
Put together a
killer profile that speaks directly to the expectant mother, using conversational language so she can picture her baby in your family. Your profile is the one tool that will get her attention.
Apply with multiple agencies and attorneys, with low up-front fees, across the country in states with
adoption-friendly laws. More agencies = a quicker match. An adoption consultant will put together a personalized plan for you.
Work with large, reputable agencies with a lot of activity, who makes between 25-50+ successful placements per year and who has been in business for many years. Make sure they can make placements in your state.
Have all your paperwork in order before sending it in to an agency. That includes your home study, your killer profile and all their paperwork (which oftentimes you can download directly from their website).
And on that note,
Be your agencies’ best client! Always be positive and polite!! Don’t be quick to say NO to anything, and if you do, give a few reasons why. And always, always say Thank You! (do I even need to remind you?)
Sticking with the agency theme one more time…
Check in with your agencies on a regular basis (every 3-5 weeks is good) and change up your mode of communication. The point is, you want to stay top of mind with them, without annoying them.
And on the flip side…
Check your emails and phone regularly. When you see a message from anyone on your adoption team (especially an agency or attorney you’ve applied with), respond quickly. This team is on your side and trying to help you adopt your baby quickly. It could be THE RIGHT situation, and you don’t want to miss it!
The more open you are, the quicker you will be matched. Being open to race, sex, medical background, mental health, contact with the biological family and an openness about adoption as a whole (check out Lori Holden on her wonderful site called
Lavender Luz) will lead you to your baby that much quicker. That said, you MUST do what feels right for you and your family. This is super important.
Have an experienced OBGYN or Pediatrician on your team, who is knowledgeable on
the effects of substances, medical and mental health issues on the fetus, who can answer your questions when presented a situation and will quickly respond to you. If you don’t have someone,
Children’s Research Triangle provides consults.
Meditate / Visualize / Affirm – Who is your baby going to be? Paint a picture in your mind, see him/her and what it will be like with your new baby, write down an affirmation and be specific – when it will happen, what it will be like, etc., and read it every morning and night. Try to stay relaxed. I’ve incorporated
The Miracle Morning into my life, and this would be perfect for you to incorporate as well, during an otherwise crazy roller coaster ride.
Plus one VERY important bonus for good measure…
Stay positive – it’s an exciting journey and one that’s going to lead you to your baby. Try some
positive affirmations. They work!
Are you ready?
Follow these 16 tips, and you will have your baby in no time!
Be sure to send me pictures! ☺
If you found this helpful, don’t stop here…
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