[RavenSong]

Dear Tentmaker,

If you are hesitant about wanting to adopt a child, then I think it's important to wait until you have resolved your own feelings about it. Adoption is not suitable for everyone. Perhaps it's not a viable way for you to build your own family. Only you know what the answer is.

If you're going to put a stipulation on adopting, such as the child having both parents being dead, I think you're going to wait a very long time... I also question why you would want to only adopt a child whose birthparents are dead.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't adopt a child. But I am saying that I hope you know your own motivations and capabilities. There are many prospective adoptive parents who already know in their own hearts that adoption is a good way to build their families. If you're adopting a child just to please your wife, then I think you really need to question this whole thing. It's not fair to the child...