Adoption

Hello all,

I am new to this board. Looking for some advice as a single parent. I have been thinking about adoption for  a year now. I have decided to go through with it. I plan to have a child or 2 within a year. In the meantime this is what I am doing:

1)Getting my teaching certification. My current employer is a big 3 automaker. I have been there in the finance dept for 5 years. It is not a family friendly job at all! Most of corporate america isn't. IN my 40 years I have yet to work for a company that was understanding of family needs. I am currently working 10 hour days and doesn't look like it is changing. I did some sub work before and saw my passion was for the little ones. PreK-1st grade. Being a teacher will have so many rewards! Doing something I enjoy being number one! And more flexible scheduling. It actually pays more than my corporate job.

2)Deciding where I want to live. I own my home. I have for 10 years without hardly any stuggles. Thank God. I live in a 2 bedroom house. I would love to move to a bigger home and have been driving around looking at them. Making sure I can afford it, while renting out my home to section 8. I can get like $800-$1000 month from section 8. Which will take care of my current mortgage and extra to my new home.

3)I am about a year and half away from paying off my car! I bought it new and got a good deal from my automaker employer. One of the good benifits about the job.It has about 60,000 miles on it and have not had any major issues at all. Thank God! I would like to be car payment free for several years.

4)Getting support lined up. I plan to work parttime as a bartender. I will need someone to look after them while I work like 2-3 evenings a week. I am the youngest of 12 children. I have 60 neices and nephews. I have helped them out greatly in keeping them and not charging anything for my services. I pray I can get that in return. They are all supportive of me adopting, but I hadn't "talked" to them about specific help. My mom deceased this year, January. She was 86. She was very against me adopting because she believes I have all the qualities to be a good wife, then a mom. And being very attractive, I don't have to try hard for attention. I have been down the relationship road and tired of waiting to have a kid with the right man.

5)Contact my state social services about adoption. I will probaly do the foster-adoption. My age range is 0-5 years old with no major health risks. I prefer 2 siblings, a girl and boy under 5. They have informational meetings.

6)Finding out about financial assistance. Tax credits, etc etc. Anything to help offset the cost.

7)Fixing up my 2nd bedroom. Getting 2 twin beds and painting it a neutral pearl green. Beautiful color.

Sorry this is long! But I am so excited about my future as a mom. Any advice you can give me,especially other single moms, I would appreciate it greatly! Have a good weekend!

Hotcarmel

Hi Hotcarmel!  WELCOME to the group!  It sounds to me like you are excited about adding to your family thru an adoption plan and that you have put a lit of time and effort into this plan and all the steps to get you there.  As a single mom, probably the wisest thing you have listed on your "plan" is ensuring you have a family-friendly employer AND a support network.  With your determination I am sure you will get your teaching credentials easily and with ALL those nieces/nephews (WOW!) hopefully they will reciprocate with all he Auntie care/loving you have given over the years. 

We have several single moms here that will hopefully chime in to share their experiences and offer advice too.  Good luck in your plan!