For many couples in North Dakota and nationwide thinking about an addition to their families, the first thought that comes to mind is understandably a newborn baby. The really, however, is that there are many thousands of truly wonderful children, both boys and girls, who are older and are in foster care awaiting adoption.
Federal statistics show that just in the U.S. alone, there are currently almost 400,000 children languishing in foster care. Some have previously been the victims of abuse or neglect, while others have simply landed up where they are now because of the untimely death of a parent or even both parents due to tragic accidents or illnesses.
Thousands unfortunately “age out” of the foster care system every year without ever having found their forever family. For many, this means becoming a young adult without the support system of a family or anyone with which to share the triumphs of their young life. These events might include getting that first job, graduating from school, getting married or becoming a parent themselves.
The rewards of becoming an adoptive parent to one or more of these young people can be immense. An adoption attorney can explain to you how to go about applying to become one. There are even financial and practical advantages to adopting an older child rather than a newborn. In many instances, adopting a new born from a birth mother giving a child up for adoption means paying the medical expenses of maternity care and childbirth, much of which may not be covered by a family’s own health insurance. One thing is for certain, for those not enthused about changing thousands of diapers, adopting a teenager is a pretty good way of avoiding that aspect of parenthood.
Source:
WILX.com, “Older Children Often Overlooked for Adoption” Amanda Malkowski, Nov. 12, 2013
