[chiquitita]

Are there any people here who have adopted older children from foster care (age 5+) without having bio children to begin with? What was your experience?

Also, are there any rules about adopting an older child - if it would be inconsistant with your age - meaning if you are 30 and you adopt a 14 year old, that would have made you 16 if that child had been biological - more or less, a younger parent of a teenager - is there a guideline to where you might be too young to adopt a child of a certain age? (Hope that makes sense - I know it is all over the place)

[msheartofgold]

You know it my very between states when it comes to age of adoptive/foster parents, but what i was told that you should be at least 10 yr. older then the child I guess it would be almost like raising a sibbling more so than a child you birth. I became a foster parent when i was 22 now almost 25 DH 27 (no bios of our own) and we were ask to forster a 13yr and we had to decline because what 13yr really wants to listen to someone that close in age. So i just think it's based on your feeling on raising a child so close to age, but i know there are people out there doing it.
Good luck on your quest sorry i was not of much help.

[L-A-J-C-R-C]

Hi,

I don't believe CPS places teens (even young teens 13) with younger foster parents for the reason the above poster stated. If you are 30 I would advise you to stay between the ages of birth to 12. I'm now 44 and my dh is 43. While we do have a 16 y/o fs with us now that is ONLY because he is the sib of our 2 and 3 y/o. We do not want to foster teens, we have biological sons that are 17 and 20 and feel we can better serve the younger kids.

Best of luck in your fostering. We have absolutely loved it.

Michelle

[tybeemarie]

Our 3 kids are ages 6, 7, and 9. My husband and I never had children before. We're 36 and 38. As to the age of kids that you're eligible for, that varies by state, I'm sure. You can check the administrative rules of your state agency online, I'd bet. Illinois has the rules posted on their website. I don't think there are restrictions in that way here. There is such a need for homes for teenagers I can't imagine agencies saying no on the basis of someone being too young unless you're in your 20's. Good luck!