[StorkWatcher]

Natalie,
You're getting great advice. Definitely keep reading. I agree that it's good to expose yourself to the various opinions about what adoptees might feel. We don't know what our children will feel eventually, but we can try to be prepared to help them recognize those feelings.

I don't think anyone's addressed your topic about foster-adopt vs private agency. We really struggled with that and wondered if we would be selfish not to consider the foster-adopt program (especially after we went through all their training and were licensed to do so). I did a lot of praying for peace about the situation and guidance to know which way was right. We pursued both options and felt the right one for us would happen.

We ended up adopting a newborn through a private agency. We had zero contact from the DFC social worker after we were licensed (even though we agreed to offer weekend respite care for other foster parents and short-term emergency care for kids because they supposedly desperately needed that help even though we did not want to foster, only adopt), so I guess we were meant to go the route we did. DON'T FEEL SELFISH. Your child will be meant for you and will need you, no matter how you were brought together.

I also agree that the fact you're concerned already about your child's adjustment is a great parenting asset!