1. Why is it taking so long?
Have you ever heard the phrase "Over worked and Under paid?" That would sum up the work of the Nation's Social Workers. In addition, there may be problems with your paperwork. Fingerprints can take weeks to months to return results. One or more of your references may not have returned their reccomendation forms back to the office. A shortage of social workers is a primary reason.
2. My fingers are sore from twiddling my thumbs!
Keep busy! Yes, that's easy for me to say. Afterall, I'm only the one creating this website. It's not as if I know that the whole wanting a child in your home bit is on your mind every day. Or that I could possiblly understand the questions running through your mind such as, will I be approved, what will the child be like, or the nervousness that goes along with each. Ha! Try again.
So! I state again. Keep busy. In my free time, I read books on the subject. I write about the subject. I keep a journal that perhaps I can share with the child/children later so they know exactly what it was like from THIS end later one when they can appreciate it. Make sure you are ready by having house rules, furniture in the room, a life book, researching schools in the area, participating in groups that can relate to your situation.
If you are reading this and have found other useful ways to get through this time, PLEASE share them and I will post them.
3. Can I start looking for children?
Sure! But keep in mind, you will not be able to meet any of them or find out addition information until after your application has been approved. This can be frustrating if you find a child you are interested in and the child finds a home prior to you being approved. You may begin your drueling at any point in the adoption process by viewing the Children Waiting section.
4. I'm beginning to doubt my decision to do this.
Welcome to parenthood - and you don't even have a child yet!
Let's think about this for a moment. What is it you are doubting?
Are you doubting the ability to be a good parent?
Are you doubting the decision based on monetary issues?
Are you doubting the decision because you're scared?
Keep at it. Don't give up. If people didn't have kids because they doubted their parenting abilities or felt they didn't have anough money, there would be NO children in this world. If it's because you're scared, YOU'RE NORMAL!
Are you doubting the fact you are not sure whether or not you want the headache of dealing with it?
Are you doubting your ability to control your temper?
Are you doubting your decision based on what your close friends and realitives are saying they think your abilities are?
Do you feel you do not have enough free time to spend with the child?
You may want to seriously reconsider your decision. I'm NOT telling you to give up. I am telling you that it is time for you to re-discover yourself and the reason you want to do this. Weigh the pro's and con's of each. Take what those closest to you to heart. They see things that you can not.
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