30 Single Male Adoption IL

I agree that your intentions sound very nice but you sound naive about what will happen with adopted kiddos, especially older ones.PP makes an excellent point that if you adopt a child, even one on the verge of adulthood, you will not be their "big brother." You will be their father, with all that entails. These kids are not looking for a friend or buddy. Also, remember that a parent is a parent for life, not until the child turns 18, and that is probably even more true for older, adopted kids. Most of them will not be ready to live on their own at 18. Some will never live on their own because of developmental or medical issues.Excellent advice that if you have not had experience with at-risk youth, Big Brothers/Big Sisters is probably where you want to start.Remember that older kids who are available for adoption were not created in a vacuum, and they weren't in a functional, happy family last week and now just waiting around for someone to hang out with. They have likely been in the system most of their lives, some have been in horrendous family situations, multiple foster or adoptive placements, bounced back and forth to bio parents and possibly other relatives, or in group homes. Online photolistings are usually the "end of the road" for these kids.You will want to learn to decipher the things that are stated in descriptions of kids: "would do best in a home with no younger children" means they are violent or sexually violent with little kids, for instance. "Acts younger than her age" doesn't mean a kid is fun-loving or silly, but that they have a serious developmental issue.Do the PRIDE training, and talk to experienced adoptive parents if you can. But don't go in "blind" or you will end up heartbroken.