[zookeeper]

I have wanted to adopt ever since I can remember. I married when I was 33 yr. old and never adopted as a single person. My hats are off to all of you who do. I regret not doing it.

I can tell you that I have 5 children and work full-time as does my husband. He works days and I work midnights and I love working mids. Not only is it "for me" but I actually spend more time with my kids than working the day shift. I'm there when they get up in the morning, and when they get off the bus. I'm there for dinner, bathtime, homework etc.

I sleep when they are in school. At one point in the past both of us had to work 12 hr. days on the back shift. Our jobs required this as "the nature of the job" and we were fully aware that this would/could happen. Since we don't have family nearby to help us, we found great success with using a "grandmother type" woman who we paid to sleep at out house and get the kids breakfast. You can check with your local senior center. There are a great deal of very active seniors out there who would jump at the opportunity to help out besides make fairly easy money.

Another co-worker in the same situation went to the local colleges and hired early education students to do the same thing. We found such a wonderful woman who we used for 5 yrs. that we never had to look on campus but hey, its a resource. Hope this helps.

[wannabeamom]

That is so encouraging. I just completed my inquiry worksheet, as required by my state. I'm just not cut out for the 9a-5p lifestyle. The possibility of staying on my current schedule is a wonderful thing. I live in a state far from my immediate family so I will have to be creative in terms of child care. Thank you for your input. The child I'm interested in is 12yrs old. I'll have to work it out. I live about 12miles from my job. Where there's a will, there's a way.

[hotarballoons]

Go for it! The adoption. I am a single mom of 3 (21,18, & almost 16) I am a foster/adoptive parent love it. My daughter who is 21 has a 2yr old son and she is a foster/adoptive parent and a full time student. So anything is possible. It seems things very from state to state. Good luck. If it is truely something you want it will happen. The truth is about the older ones they just want to be loved but sometimes it take it is a hard road to travel. You have to let them know it is alright to be a child and that you will love them for always.

[wannabeamom]

Thank you for your insight. Right now, I'm in the house hunting stage. Ideally, I'd like to have the adoption process completed so that she can start school here in the Fall.