[tobeafamily]

Hi Tonya,

First, head to the library and read everything you can on adoption. A good starter book is "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Adoption".

There are generally three ways to adopt:

1. International - adopting a child from another country
2. Domestic parental placement - AKA "Private" - adopting an infant, typically at birth, bioligical parents place the child directly with you or through an agency
3. Domestic waiting child/foster care adoption - where you adopt a child currently in the custody of the state.

Each has its' own benefits and risks. There is no one 'best way' to adopt, only a best way for you.

You should also be asking yourselves questions like this:

1. How important is it that your child share your ethnic heritage?
2. How important is it that your child be an infant at time of placement?
3. How willing/able are you to travel, with or without notice?
4. How much are you prepared to spend in fees and expenses?
5. How prepared are you to parent a child who may have been exposed to abuse, neglect, institutionalization, known or unknown at time of placement?
6. How comfortable are you sharing your values, beliefs, lifestyle with people who are strangers or whom you don't know well?

HTH, best of luck.

Regina