Adopting after 40..make you young or old???

Well, it's tough, no doubt about that but it is very rewarding. I will say this....I have never been so aware of my mortality - I simply want to be here for my child. Don't fall into analysis paralysis....JUST DO IT!

I am 43 and my son is about to turn 2. He came home at 8 1/2 months. I think I probably have a little less energy than I would have if I had done this earlier, but that is countered with TONS more patience and appreciation for what I have. I can't speak for him, but the good outweighs the bad for me by far. I am also single. I just had my hip replaced and hopefully when I finish recovering I will be able to keep up with him for many years to come.It is absolutely the best thing I have ever done!

I will tell you from personal experience (adopting at age 59 as a single dad) that if your health is up to it, go for it. I adopted four at once, teenagers at that, and my life has been great. I think that the older you are the better equiped you are by life's experiences to deal with kids. I feel younger some times, older other times but wonderfully alive when I'm sharing my life with my kids. Do they sometimes drive you crazy, yes but other times I could not be happier. If you worry about what others think you are wasting time, you know your heart and if you have some love to give to some children, you are not likely to regret it. I am a mid level executive who was about to retire when I decided that if I wanted a family, it was now or never. Almost all of my friends told me I was crazy, and now I will have to keep working for the foreseeable future, but every night I come home to a nice noisey house and an adventure with homework, or pop I need (fill in the blank) or I have to be Solomon and try and solve some relationship issues. I used to be a workaholic, but now I love to get out of the office to head home every night. Get started!

I swear it makes me younger. My son came to me thru foster care at 3 months old & I adopted him when he was 2. He is bi-racial & I am CC & people stare at us wherever we go-I've actually convinced myself that they stare because I must look like a teenage mom!! (I'm 39) Now I've convinced myself that I'm 19. It is exhausting & rewarding & the best thing I've ever done-I have more $$ & patience now & glad I had my 20's early 30's to do the "fun stuff".

I would say it depends on the day. I will be 39 next month and my daughter will be 3 next month. She has been home with me for about 15 months. I am tired and drained. I feel haggered. She insists on sleeping with me for part of the night and she is such a bad bad bad sleeper. She has more energy then I thought possible (and you should see her on the rare occassions I let her have sugar). So most days I need caffiene. Most days I am tired. Most days I have to really work to drag myself out of bed. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. She is the love of my life. She is the light of my life. And she is worth every second of lost sleep. Samantha

It is very tiring but wonderful. 3 things are critical for me: 1) Have the ability to get a sitter for 3-4 hrs at least once a week ( usually Tue nights or one day on the weekend) and 2)take a nap when they nap. You can still get most important things done while they are awake. 3) When she was between 1-2.5 I had playpens in every main area of the house. That way you can run to the mailbox or unload groceries, etc.

I'm going to be 43 this year. I have a 9 year old, a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old. Sometimes I feel exhausted-but they bring me so much joy-it's just unbelievable. I'm so blessed. I'm actually considering fostering one more.

I am new to the adoption process but I am over 40(don't tell anyone!) and looking to adopt an older child (6-11). I have 5 adult children that I raised alone so I am not new to the single parent thing. However, my "baby" is 23. I sit at home after work wishing I had a child here to share my time, home and my undying love! I have so many plans for "her" already! I haven't heard yet if there is room for me in the next MAPP class, but I am hoping it is so I can get this party started! I will be praying for you to have a great time with this and here is hoping you have been already matched and finalized!

I am a single CC mom to two beautiful AA boys. Gabe was placed in my arms right after my 40th birthday and Parker after my 43rd. Its been a magical experience and I have never felt younger ( most days)

We have a 7yr, 3yr and 4mo. I'm 47 and my DW is slightly older. It is great doing it at this stage in life. I actually have more time to spend with them and my DW is a Stay-at-Home Mom.Sometimes, my body tells me that I'm 'old'. But, my mind has forgotten about it. The fact of having kids is actually helping us get off the couch and doing stuff. So it is a positive thing in that respect. For example, my oldest DS is into Karate and is currently an advanced Purple Belt. At the beginning of the year, I decided to quite spectating when I take him and to join him out on the mats. I figured I could use the exercise and the knowledge/abilities when my size is no longer the advantage over him.

You know... I have not slept a full night since my daughter came home. I eat more macaroni and cheese, and fewer salads for dinner. My "social life" is no longer running around the city to stimulating cultural events. Instead, it is a trip to the zoo, dinner by 5:30 and in our jammies by 7:30. Haircuts? Manicures? Who's got time for that stuff? But I feel so good. I feel so good. Mommyhood is so good for me. And everyone is always commenting that I look so good!!!! With those bags under my eyes? Wow. I must have looked really bad before. :eyebrows:

This is also a question that interests me. I will graduate at the tender age of 38 (if I'm lucky), and I guess I'll need at least a year to get a new job and settle into it enough that I may be able to adopt. So, I'm looking at adopting at 39 or later. Scary indeed. But, my family history gives me until my 80s, so I'm hoping it won't be a big problem. Plus, I'm going on a diet/excersize regimen to get me in shape for a new career as juvie probation officer. David

I think both - I have hit levels of exhaustion that I didn't know existed. THere have also been times where it has made me younger. I wouldn't give it up or trade parenting for anything. I am currently looking to adopt my third.