Are you considering child adoption? Be smart about it because it is important to do things right!
The following tips, advice and guidance will help you to make sure that you are ready to adopt a child and will guide you to following the process the right way.
Adopting a child is a very big step and it is incredibly important that you look for advice and assistance before making this big decision.
There are many factors to take into consideration and you will need time to decide whether or not you are ready for a lifelong addition to your family.
Why should you adopt a child?
If you can’t have children of your own and you really do want to start a family, adoption may be the right route for you. However, even if you CAN physically have your own children you could still consider adoption.
There are thousands of orphaned children in South Africa and around the world who desperately need a good home. Without a support system and the financial support to feed them, clothe them and educate them, many children will lead a very disadvantaged life 
without much hope of a better life.
If you adopt a child you will be taking a little person from very dire circumstances and giving them all of the best opportunities in life.
It is definitely something worth considering if you are a generous, giving and loving person.
Ask yourself the following questions before you make your decision about adoption.
#1: Are you financially secure?
If you have a reliable, steady income from a job that you are comfortable in, you will be in a good position to adopt a child. Children are incredibly expensive and you will need an excess of money to pay for medical expenses, clothes, food and toys, and for school fees and other expenses.
You cannot afford to lose your job when you have a child as without a steady income your child will suffer.
#2: Do you travel a lot for work and lead a busy life?
If you travel all the time and if you are constantly socialising and moving around, you do not have space in your life for a child. Unless you are willing to change your lifestyle drastically, you should not consider adopting a child.
#3: Are you in a stable relationship?
If you have a partner and you are in a stable, committed relationship, you will be in a better position to adopt a child. It is not always necessary for a child to have two parents, but many adoption agencies may be more likely to approve you if you are in a committed relationship with another responsible adult.
If you are single, you still have a good chance of being approved for adoption.
However, it will be a much harder job to raise a child singlehandedly.
You will have to do all the late night feeding sessions yourself, you will have no-one to share school lifts and other responsibilities with and no-one to get a second opinion from about which school to send your child to.
#4: Are you emotionally ready for a life-long responsibility?
Taking on a child is a very big responsibility. You will have to look after that person into adulthood and beyond.
You will find that you worry more, love more and become more anxious than you have ever been in your life.
While there are a great many rewards to being a parent, it is incredibly stressful and taxing and you will find that you have no more time for yourself.
If you have answered all of the above questions and you still feel that you are ready to adopt, then you should contact an adoption agency and be prepared to wait for quite some time. The adoption process is a long one and you may find that it could take years to get your baby.