It’s not. Easy? Absolutely not. Worth every painstaking moment, tear shed, hurdle jumped, paper signed? Without a doubt. A line in a Coldplay song played in my head over and over during our first adoption:
“Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard.”
—Coldplay
That was our first adoption summed up perfectly. Adoptions can go smoothly, but I do not think any person who has been through the adoption process would characterize it as easy. There are hours and hours of paperwork—maybe better characterized as days of paperwork. There are background, medical, and safety checks, along with hours of home-study time and education required.
Don’t Lose Hope
Adoption is not easy. However, it is entirely doable. Even families with a meager income can afford adoption. A wealth of information can be found on Adoption.com and Adoption.org to help you feel more prepared in your journey. Adoption agencies and adoption attorneys will guide you through each step to make sure you are informed and have aid along the way. Depending on the type of adoption, having a child placed in your home can take years or sometimes only weeks.
It’s Worth It
Nothing worth much is going to be easy. The process is lengthy and arduous for a reason. It is so important to make sure all the legalities are taken care of and that the child’s needs are wholly met. The lengthy process of adoption not only serves a purpose, but it gives you time to prepare yourself for life with your child. This preparation can be mental, physical, emotional, and/or spiritual. Giving your child your best self can be one of the greatest gifts he or she will ever receive. While adopting is not at all easy, the process can be joyous and is worth taking the time to do the work.
Written by Lita Jordan