Approximately 1 percent of children in the United States are adopted, according to More4Kids.info. For this group, being adopted represented a chance to grow up with a family. If you have a loving family that already includes biological children, yet you wish to adopt, you must consider the implications for your biological children and for your family's potential new addition.
Significance
Adoption is a legal process that recognizes a permanent relationship between parents and child and gives adoptive parents the legal rights associated with being a biological parent. Adoptive parents represent a variety of backgrounds and ages, and they can be parents of biological children. Parents with biological children who wish to adopt into their families may do so out of religious or personal desires to help needy children, the inability to have more biological children or the desire to build a larger family.
Considerations
When considering adopting a child after having biological children, many thoughts may cross parents' minds. Predominant concerns include the potential effects adopting the child will have on your existing family (if any), whether the adoptive child will fit in with your existing family or whether the adoptive child will feel shortchanged because she is not a member of your biological family.
Adoption can be a lengthy legal process, as many considerations are required before legal custody is granted to adoptive parents. Before you embark upon this journey, particularly coupled with considerations for your biological children, seek adoption professionals and educational resources that will help inform your decision. AdoptionIssues.org recommends reading books written by adoption specialists, attending an adoption support group, attending adoption informational seminars or meeting with an adoption specialist to discuss your specific concerns about how an adopted child can find a place with your family.
Time Frame
The length of time taken to adopt a child depends upon the location of the adopted child, such as an international adoption, which can take anywhere from four to 12 months, according to Adoption Assistance, Inc. International adoptions typically require less time than domestic adoptions, which can take between 3 to 6 years. For families who currently have biological children, the wait can be much longer, because birth mothers tend to select families that currently do not have children, according to Adoption Assistance, Inc.
Warning
Adopting a child into a family with biological children can create conflict, according to AdoptiveFamilies.com. Your biological children may harbor resentment because the adopted child is automatically part of your family yet may not be familiar with house rules or customs. An adopted child may feel like an outsider to a close-knit family and may feel as if she does not fit in, particularly if she looks very different from other family members.
Benefits
According to AdoptiveFamilies.com, a 1999 University of Minnesota study revealed that children who are part of a blended family are as well-adjusted as other families with only biological children. Although every family and adoptive child is different, parents can build bonds with adoptive children and enjoy the warm feelings and love that can arise from welcoming a needy child into their home.
