[Grace22]

Hello everyone, I'm a 25 year old who's very interested in adopting a child in the near future. As of right this moment, I'm only ready to begin the research part of the process.

A few things about me:
-I'm on the young side. I understand that 25 is pretty much the minimun age required in order to begin the process.

-I'm single. Any other singles around here? I'd love to hear your experiences and any advice that you can give me.

-I live in NYC.

-I work with children and have for years. At the moment, I work in a High School but I've worked in elementary schools and a daycare in the past.

-I'm open to any gender or race but at the moment I'm very interested in a hispanic infant because I'd be able to offer them a similar cultural lifestyle and upbringing.

Being young and single will probably kill my chances but I'd like to research all of my options.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

[Howdy]

My advice would be to read all you can about the various paths to adoption. I went the fostercare-to-adoption route and I am very happy. But I think adopting a healthy baby and starting fresh without all the issues would be a very pleasant way to go for a first adoption. I sometimes feel like I should have done that, but my daughter is awesome and mostly I just wish I'd adopted a baby so I could have brainwashed them to doing things my way.

[mommamarci]

I was 24 when we adopted the first time. (Although I am married.) If you are open to race, adopting an AA (African American) or biracial child might give you a better chance as a single, young female.

Good luck!

[Grace22]

Originally Posted by Howdy

My advice would be to read all you can about the various paths to adoption. I went the fostercare-to-adoption route and I am very happy. But I think adopting a healthy baby and starting fresh without all the issues would be a very pleasant way to go for a first adoption. I sometimes feel like I should have done that, but my daughter is awesome and mostly I just wish I'd adopted a baby so I could have brainwashed them to doing things my way.

Thank you for the reply, Howdy. At the moment, I've been talking about going the foster care route. My grandmother adopted twins that way and I'm more familiar with it.

What state are you in? (If you don't mind me asking)
I've been looking for someone in New York who's adopted a child through foster care.

[Grace22]

Originally Posted by mommamarci

I was 24 when we adopted the first time. (Although I am married.) If you are open to race, adopting an AA (African American) or biracial child might give you a better chance as a single, young female.

Good luck!

I'm completely open to race. I've just started talking to my family about my wishes to adopt and race was discussed and wrapped up within the first five minutes. We're hispanic but we range from blond hair and green eyes to dark skin, eyes and hair so we'd open our arms to any race.

One thing that does make me curious, however, is that you've said I'd have a better chance of adopting an AA or mixed baby because I'm young and single. Is that due to what the mothers feel or the agencies?

[Sohmakun]

Actually, its because AA, BR and sometimes latino children are more difficult to find homes for. Infants of any race with medical needs are also difficult to place. Most agencies will allow singles to adopt these types of children because there are very few couples wanting to adopt them.