[JoeS1016]

Hello Everyone:

I am a 29 yo male in Chesapeake, VA. I have been looking into adoption for the last couple years. I just am not sure if I see myself as the marrying type. I have always wanted kids. My friends always talk about how good I am with their kids. I am interested in adopting older children as I know that I am always going to have to work during the day and at least they will be at school. I am a Hotel General Manager which gives me some freedom in my schedule. I am able to pretty much come and go as I please while I am still required to work 50 hour weeks. I was curious to know what people think my odds of being able to adopt are? I have a very close family who will support me in anything I do. I would love to hear from Single Males in Virginia who have adopted. For that matter, I would love to hear from anyone who can give me ANY information about Single Adoption in Virginia. I know that there are 1000 threads on here asking for info about Single Adoption but I was looking for info specific to Virginia. Thank You to anyone for any information that you can give me and if you need more info to help me here please let me know.

Thank You For Everything!

[Mkuhlmann06]

Im not male, and Im not single...and Im not from VA. But just thought I'd say good luck. Being male or being single or both would not prevent you from being approved. They will want to know about your support and network, so having close family that support you will be great. I would suggest having those family members cleared, so you can have at least small breaks. We fostered (and adopted) older children (elementary school age) b/c we both work and have had 2 of 3 positive placements.

Good luck in your journey, this is a great place for information and venting. I don't know of any single males from VA, but Indy and Mike over in the special needs forums are both adoptive single males. Indy has adopted 10 children, so any questions you may have, you may want to seek them out!

[rindava]

Virginia sure isn't like Indiana....

single parents can only have 4 children under the age of 18... I will PM with the agencies locally that do contracted out homestudies to adopt from foster care...

You can also go to your local DSS and get free training and homestudy if you are willing to do respite foster care, etc... to get on the list

[AmyAnne]

Hi Joe!

I just sent you a PM. Hopefully Original Mike and Indy will check in with this thread. Both of them are single fathers to older boys, and while they aren't from Virginia, they will likely be able to give you valuable advice and perspectives.

[lucyjoy]

Um, there is a single dad in Indiana on this board with more then 4 kids under 18 so not sure about that info.

You might want to repost your question to the special needs board as there are at least 3 single adoptive dad's who post fairly often on that board and I'm sure they'd be happy to share their insight with you.

Good luck!

[rindava]

Noticed I said IN VIRGINIA.... because that is where I live... they have this rule about the number of children in a home

4 children in single parent homes

8 in married people homes

mind you the DC area is a different world then Tidewater Virginia, DC is more like California ...

easy way is to foster adopt

Most agencies only want to work in state, etc..

I am not in Indiana where Mike and Indy are.... they have different regs there...

easiest city locally to foster for is Portsmouth and then Norfolk... they have a lot a kids in care..

[lucyjoy]

Sorry, misread your post regarding Indiana.

[JoeS1016]

I just wanted to post a little something to let you know that I am reading your posts. I appreciate all the information. If there is anyone out there with more information please keep posting. Again, Thank You for all of your help.

[fanorkey]

JoeS,

We are currently taking classes with Lutheran Family Services up in Hampton, graduating 17 March. We have a single male in class with us, late 20's, so it certainly can be done. I recommend giving them a call (web site is Lutheran Family Services)

Jim