[Rose_Houk]

Hi, My name is Rose. My husband and I just decided that we want to adopt. After three years of trying and one miscarriage (which was more than enough for me) we found out that we can't have our own children. We are in the very beginning process and we are trying to figure out how to raise the money to be able to afford it. I think it's pretty strange that you always hear that there are so many children out there needing homes, and it's so expensive to be able to do provide one for them. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas on raising money for the adoption or any tips on what the whole process is about, please let me know. Thanks

[lakin11]

Are you looking to adopt from foster care? Or an infant adoption? Typically there is little to no cost to adopt from foster care. However, it can take a long time and if you foster, kids can go home. The primary goal for a foster child is reunification with their bio parents. If not bio parents, a relative. If no relative is available, then to foster parents/adoptive parents.

We had our older 3 for 3 1/2 yrs from date of placement until TPR. They came at ages 2, 3, and 4, and were adopted at 6, 7, and 8. Our youngest two have been in care most of their life, the oldest almost 3 1/2 yrs. She will be in care 4 years by the time her adoption is done. Or more. We are still waiting on termination of parental rights. The baby has been in care all but 4 months of her 22 months, again waiting on termination. Both were supposed to go home this summer.

Do you have an age of child you are hoping for? It is rare (but not impossible) to adopt an infant from foster care. Many kids have drug/alcohol exposure (again, not all). Many children may have suffered severe neglect abuse or neglect. This may show in behavior problems.

It would be helpful to know what you are looking for, as every type of adoption brings its own set of challenges and process. Good luck!

[Rose_Houk]

I didn't even think about putting the age of what we want on here. Sorry. We really really want an infant. Sometimes I feel so selfish that we don't want an older child even though that's the majority of the children that need to be adopted. My husband and I have been wanting a baby for going on three years now. I know it's not as long as some people have waited, but it seems like a lot longer to me.

I knew that it would very unlikely to foster and then adopt an infant. That's why we're more interested in adoption compared to fostering. We are in the VERY early stages of adoption. We are waiting for an info packet from the adoption agency that we contacted and we are starting to try to figure out how to raise the money to be able to afford it. I know just by our income we will not be able to. My husband has a good job and so do I, but we just bought our first house and we're still trying to get settled into the right financial schedule. Anyway, I know that was kind of a long reply, but I would appreciate anyones input that's been through this process. Thanks!

[kermitdfrog]

here are some ideas that i've seen from others who were raising money for their adoptions:

1) garage sale
2) ask family instead of a birthday or christmas gift to give to adoption fund instead, which is also a gift in it's self
3) work a second job, like babysitting or cleaning homes
4) if you eat out instead of doing that take the money you would eat out on and put into adoption fund
5) look at your job and see if they help with adoption costs. some companies do so it won't hurt to check it out
6) basically look into your daily spending habits and think to yourself "do i really need this?" if not that money you were about to spend can go right to the fund


from what it sounds is that you will be just doing a domestic adoption right?? your not going to be doing fostering to adopt? if domestic of course your looking at much higher expenses verses adoption through foster care so the suggestions i gave you will only help little at a time but it's something.

[Becki_in_IN]

We have friends at church that had a Family Fun Night at church. They were raising money to bring their son home from China. There were games and they had an auction on some really nice donated items. They made an incredible amt of money. Definately a God thing!