Hello, ive only been a member of the site a few minutes, but wanted to express my thoughts and goals. Im a single 26 year old female, who wants a family more than anything. Im as single as they come
and though im not ready to give up, i just dont ever see myself with the typical scenario of meet a great guy, settle down, have a bunch of cute kids and live happily ever after. Its what i pictured my life would be when growing up, but i feel like the older i get the farther and farther i get from that plan. I can not and will not be childless, i may have no control over whether or not i fall in love, but having children is something i will do, and possibly through adoption. I basically have a few ( well, a lot) of questions, and although i know theres no exact answer to most of them, i just want to know what others have done in similar situations.
1) What ( in your opinion) is a good age to begin the process? If i havent had children the old fashioned way in the next couple of year should i begin when im, 30? 35? i dont want to be an old parent, but at the same time i dont want to give up on my original dream too soon. When do you throw in the towel?
2) From day 1 of first meeting with someone to set up the adoption process, how long would it be until i ahve a baby? (I KNOW I KNOW it varies)...but is 2 years average? 5 years?
3)Have you found that domestic or international adoptions are more suitable for single parent adoptions?
4) Will i be looked at as 'mean' if i say i dont want a disabled child? i may want one some day, im a nurse and i feel i could benefit them, but being in my 20s with a first baby, knowing you are going into it as a single parent, i just think having a 'normal' ( not politically correct i know, im sorry its 2am and i cant think) child would be hard enough! i dont mean for it to sound like i want Baby#1 as a trial baby, but i just dont think i can handle any serious disabilities.
5) is it hard to get a domestic baby? is it easier for international adoption to get a young baby? it doesnt have to be newborn, but somewhere around toddler age or younger i would prefer.
any help would be GREATLY appreciated.