[toosweet_07]

Ive always wanted to adopt a child, ever since i was little, and i have heard/seen that people can adopt as singles. I think that is so great! Eventually i would like to adopt internationally (preferrably from Ethiopia, but i don't have the finances right now). I am a 21yrold AA/F college student, planning on being a teacher-and after i graduate from school i would like to adopt. I have been looking around, trying to find out information. Anybody have any tips or anything? Thanks!

[Jackobanzi]

I'm a teacher, too, so the first thing that comes to mind is...WAIT! The first year of teaching is monumentally more overwhelming than anything you expect it will be. The good news is, you will never have a first year of teaching ever again. I'd say let yourself teach for at least two years before you start the paperwork to bring your own personal child into the mix. This shouldn't really be a problem, since I think the minimum age USCIS will allow a parent to file for an orphan visa is 24.

Since you know you want to adopt, make sure that when you interview for jobs you check out the schools' maternity leave policies. There are schools out there (including the one I work at now - yay!) that give mat leave for adoptive mothers. Even though you won't have gone through the physical strain and drain of childbirth, you will still need the time to get used to your baby and bond.

There are also a few really good books out there on single parent adoption and adoption in general. Try "Single Mothers By Choice" and "Adopting on Your Own." Since you have time, get to reading!

Good luck!

[MareBear]

I'm a special education teacher that is in the process of adopting a lil' guy from the state. I am 24 (turned 24 on the 30th of April) and I'm teaching part time next year. It will technically be my "first secured" teaching job, but for the last half of this year I've been in the classroom (it's a behavioral program) for 2 days a week as requested.


I would also advise you to wait a couple of years especially if you want to go international. Adopting a child is very trying. I've found this out the hard way. I would make sure you have tons of support from family and friends and read up on the type of adoption you want to do. I also suggest talking with agencies that perform those type of adoptions. They can give you valuable info what to expect.

Like you, I've always wanted to adopt and it will be worth it all when I get my lil' guy.

Good luck

[StorkWatcher]

Jac. gave very good advice about checking into the maternity policy. If your school doesn't offer one, you might want to try to save up $$$ in order to have if you decide to take unpaid time off (such as FMLA, which can be up to 12 weeks) for adoption.

Good luck!