No man, or woman, is an island. This phrase, originally from a book of poetry written in the early 1600s, has become commonplace in our culture because it is so true. People don’t do well when they are alone. Isolation isn’t an ideal way of life in any context.
This truth is only amplified by difficult situations. Any family who has been through the adoption process can attest that it’s not always easy. It will be worth it, but it is also going to be challenging. Trying to make it through the process yourself, without any emotional, spiritual or professional support, isn’t a recipe for success. You need an adoption support system along the way.
This support system can be made up of family, friends and professionals. You can include anyone around you who may be able to walk with you through the adoption process, and there are probably more resources available than you think.
Building a Support System with Family and Friends
Start your support system with the people closest to you. Many of your family and friends may be unfamiliar with the adoption process, so it may help to explain to them how adoption works.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and to communicate this with your adoption support system. You’ll receive the most helpful support when you are most honest about your needs. The things that may seem obvious to you may not be so clear to people on the outside of the adoption process. Make sure to honestly communicate how people can help you, and make sure to choose people who you completely trust to form this inner circle of support.
Support from Professionals
There are professionals available to assist you at nearly every step of the adoption process. Because adoption can be so complex, you’ll need more expertise than what you can find in your own research. There are adoption attorneys, agencies and social workers to help you complete a successful adoption.
Attorney Ken Nelson and his law firm have helped many adoptive families. They have years of proven experience completing successful adoptions, and they work hard to represent every family they work with. Finding an attorney like Ken Nelson who will always do what’s best for you can be a vital element of your adoption support system.
Beyond that, there are also counselors, therapists, pastors and other avenues of support for you during the process. The emotional ups and downs of adoption can be hard to contextualize and understand as you are experiencing them. Going to see a counselor or meeting with a pastor you trust to talk about what’s happening is something anyone pursuing adoption should feel encouraged to do. These professionals can be an objective observer to help you make decisions throughout the adoption and guide you through all the things you are feeling.
Creating a Financial Support System
“How can I afford to adopt?”
It’s one of the most common questions asked by adoptive families. The costs associated with the adoption process can be expensive. Developing a financial support network through fundraising and other avenues is something worth considering. Aside from putting on specific fundraising events for your adoption, the best way to develop a financial support network is to be open and honest with your community about your need. Explain the costs of adoption to your friends and family, and be transparent about how they can help you meet these costs.
Finding Adoption Support Groups
Even though your family and friends know you better than anyone else, there’s a good chance they haven’t experienced what you are going through. It can be helpful to find people who have already completed an adoption and can relate to the things you are feeling. That’s why adoption support groups can be a vital element of your adoption support system. It’s important for you to know that you’re not alone.
You can find adoption support groups in a variety of ways, and you can find groups with many different interests. There are groups more focused on pre-adoption, while others focus on post-adoption. There are support groups for foster care and for international adoption. There are groups focused on people who have experienced infertility and groups focused on helping LGBTQ couples.
Whatever needs arise in your specific adoption situation, you can probably find a support group full of people who can relate to your feelings and give you advice based on their own experiences. You can search the North American Council for Adoptable Children’s database, or you can find an infertility support group through The National Infertility Association.
Getting Started with Adoption Support
If you’re still at the beginning of this family-building process and trying to decide whether or not adoption is right for you, you can contact attorney Ken Nelson at the Nelson Law Firm. Ken has helped many expectant mothers and hopeful parents complete successful adoptions. Speaking with a professional like him at the start of the process can help you gain a clearer picture of what’s involved in adoption and whether or not it is right for you.