Can I adopt as a single woman?

I am a single mother of a 2 year old!! I adopted her through an agency when I was 25!! I have no physical problems.. I would, however, love to help you out with any questions you might have!!

Hiya! Thanks for the responses. I really appreciate it. Basically, I'd like to adopt an older child from the foster care system. I have absolutely no intention of adopting an infant or toddler. Everybody wants children like that, but I know that there are a lot of children in the foster care system no one wants. I do realize that's because a lot of these children come with either physical and/or emotional problems. Right now, I'm nowhere near ready to adopt. I have a new job and am just getting on my feet. The earliest I'd adopt is 2 years from now. But more than likely, it will be further ahead than that. But I'm a researcher. (I have a habit of turning everything I want to do into a research project! :P) So I want to do my research now so that I can be ready when the time comes. As for my physical problems, I know that will be something to face. But I also plan on hiring housekeeping/nanny help on a part-time basis. I think that's necessary to make this work for my particular situation. If I can have someone handle the major cooking/housekeeping chores, as well as errands and even possibly help with taking my child to different activities when necessary, I think I can make this work. I'm a business woman and am trying to get my new business off the ground. It's a part-time effort as I have a full-time job. So a housekeeper/nanny would allow me to focus on mothering and business and free me from the drudgery of more physically difficult chores. But there are definitely some things I have to do before I'm ready to adopt. I just became debt-free. Yaaaay! I'm busy building my business, working at advancing in my job (I just received my second promotion in only 5 months!) and building an emergency cash fund. I also need to go back to school for my Bachelor's degree in Marketing. I also need to get a home that would be suitable for raising a child. I've been living in a very tiny apartment for the last 7 years, but right now I'm in transition with my new job and am living in a hotel while we look for a place for me to live. I'm actually making rapid progress with my goals, but it seems so slow because I'm such an impatient person! :P As for adopting in general, the other concern I have (besides the ones I've already mentioned) is the single parenting thing. So many children are being raised in single-parent homes because of death or divorce. Divorce is a big one. (My own parents were divorced when I was 12.) And I know so many struggle as single parents. So I think I must be crazy to VOLUNTARILY even consider such a thing. I firmly believe every child deserves two parents. And I worry that I may be shortchanging my child. On the other hand, I know that foster children often feel like no one wants them or loves them. And unfortunately, many foster children are neglected or abused. So I wrestle with 2 sides of the same coin: on the one hand, every child needs 2 parents. On the other hand, which is worse? To live in a foster home, where everything is temporary, never feeling loved or feeling like you belong? Or to be raised in a permanent, loving, stable home with at least one loving parent???? I think that if I DID adopt, I'd definitely take steps to network with men in my church and maybe have them do some things with him/her. I'm very much a daddy's girl. My father is an awesome parent and I believe every child (whether boy or girl) deserves to have men in their life. I know that my father would definitely love being a grandparent to my child. And I do have a brother that would be more than willing to step in and do things with my child. But they also have their own lives and I can't put too much responsibility on their shoulders either. Anyway, I'll shut up now. I know this is long. But I just wanted to share some of my thoughts. Destiny, I'd love to hear your story! (And your thoughts on my situation.) You can post it here. Or, if you'd prefer, feel free to e-mail me at Michelle@eCommunicationsInstitute.com. Have a great day! Michelle

You seem to have a lot going on right now. As far as the physical conditions, You need to check with your doctor and DCF or your caseworker, (when you get to that point). As far as being single and adopting from fostercare. That is not a problem in and of itself. I am single and adopted from fostercare. The process can take about a year. (sometimes a little longer). So I geuss, plan with that in mind. Good Luck.

HI thereI am a single mother of a 3 years. This is by choice. I adopted her at birth. I love being a single mother but there have been times I feel guilty that she does not have a father. Like you I am a Daddy girl, and would love for my daughter to have a Daddy. But I also know that she has a wonderfull life. She has my father and my brother and many other male family members who just love her to death and are always there for her. When the time comes and you do adopt.remember all of the things in your life that you will be able to give to this child. 2 parent households are not all there is to parenting. No parent has everything but you do have a lot and you have love thats whats important.Good LuckDebbie

As you've already gathered, of course you can adopt as a single woman. Lots and lots of people with disabilities raise children every day. I don't know about your specific situation but it sounds to me like you've given a lot of thought to making parenting work for you. I wish you luck when the time is right for you. You are right, there are lots of kids out there who need good homes. Hope this helps, Dawn