Being willing to adopt a Black child and being prepared to raise one are two different things. Discover what White adoptive parents need to know about racial identity, cultural connections, and preparing for transracial adoption, with insights from social worker Rhonda Chandler.

In this guide: The straight answer What actually sets your timeline Start with a strategy, not paperwork Get the home study moving, in the right order Get the money ready Build a profile she responds to Widen your reach Get honest about openness Be ready when the call comes What slows families down most What we will not promise Frequently asked questions How long will it take to adopt? Take our quiz The straight answer If you are searching for "how to adopt a newborn quickly,

By Rebecca Gruenspan, Founder & CEO of RG Adoption Consulting • Author of The Adoption Roadmap • Host of The Adoption Roadmap Podcast If you're searching for how can I adopt a newborn, or if you keep thinking, 'I want to adopt a baby,' you're in the right place. A lot of people start with a late-night search, get buried in legal talk, and close the tab. I've guided families for more than a decade. I also adopted my son as a single mom. So I'm going to keep this plain. Short a

One of the things you are going to be asked over and over again at different points throughout your adoption journey is, “What is your criteria? What are you open to in an adoption situation?” What race, what gender, what substance exposures, what mental health background, are you open to? Anything you can think of, you are going to be asked. This is a complicated question and one that takes some soul-searching. And when you add a partner into the mix, getting on the same pag

I’ve never been one to bask in “downtime,” which is no big surprise given the big dreams I’ve always had for myself. I didn’t always know how my dreams would become reality but with passion, determination, and a whole lot of persistence, I found myself singing the National Anthem at a major league baseball game in front of 22,000 people and saying yes to jumping out of an airplane in Africa. Those were thrilling…and scary. No less thrilling though was mentoring a young girl

What do I want you to know? A Poem by Rachel Forbes I want you not only to know about the times that were clearly and expectedly confusing and heartbreaking, but also about the moments that lived and live in silence and loneliness. The moments during which there were no words, no shared or taught language. The slight, and glossed in pity ~or love~, glances and clichés that were assuming or spoken at the super market in line in the waiting room in class at a stoplight or while

By Ramya Gruneisen As you may expect, transracial adoptions come with their own unique set of challenges. Growing up, one of the hardest realities of my adoption story that I had to grapple with was not looking like the rest of my family. I specifically remember being in elementary school and praying at night that I would wake up with white skin so I could look like my family. As a child, all I wanted was to physically look like I belonged, I wanted to blend in the way my bio

By Simone Hanley Throughout the adoption process, I became very aware of the state of my mental health and the true importance of mindfulness. I was able to find peace for a little bit each day because of yoga and meditation. With meditation, I realized it was a space for me to let my fears fall away and to try and find calm. The major benefit that seemed to help me was learning how to be more patient with the lack of control I had in most things through the adoption process.

Right now, there are far more hopeful parents waiting to adopt than there are expectant mothers making adoption plans. However, this isn’t a sprint to the finish line. It’s a marathon that requires training, strategizing, mental strength, and perseverance. The adoption process is NOT one you can just speed through. Let me take you through the steps necessary to keep your stamina. TRAINING When it comes to training for the adoption process, the key is to educate yourself on e

The moment has arrived—one you have been anticipating for months, maybe even years. Your baby is finally in your arms and the celebrations have begun with friends and family. Before you get to officially call yourself a family (at least a legal family), there is still one more important (and legal) step to your adoption journey…finalization. Finalization marks the moment your child becomes an official member of your family. You will need an adoption attorney to complete this

By Kate Robnett I distinctly remember the day we received Dominique’s profile. I was sitting in the “baby room” about to take down the crib. We had heard so many stories of immediate placements that having a baby room together helped me feel prepared and ready. But it had been almost two years since we had been home study approved, and the past spring we had been chosen by an expectant mom who decided to parent after delivery. I had been pondering if adoption was really the

You’re officially a family. The moment you’ve been dreaming of has finally come true. Your baby is in your arms and the adoption journey—the paperwork, waiting, and anticipation—is behind you. While it may feel like the adoption journey is behind you, it’s really just the beginning. It’s the beginning of a lifelong journey, so there are certain things you should have in place after you adopt your child. Here are our top 5 steps to take post-adoption: 1. Build Your Adoption Co

By Laura Coleman Finding Out About Infertility My husband and I got married in April of 2011 and our hopes were to have a honeymoon baby. The months went by and nothing. I was frustrated. I went to the doctor. Nothing. I went to the doctor again. Still nothing. Finally the doctor suggested that we test my husband for infertility. He was extremely reluctant to go in to be tested—I remember pleading with him to just go in and find out. After a few weeks, we drove a sample to

By Jordan Svancara I had told my boyfriend of six years, “just marry me when you want to have kids.” Turns out he was ready. One ridiculously romantic marriage proposal and magazine-worthy wedding later, I took my last dose of birth control and flew off to our tropical honeymoon. Six months later, I landed in my OBGYN’s office in the midst of a heavy, 25+ day period (yes “period” not “cycle” ugh). This is where I got my first diagnosis, PCOS. I count myself lucky that my doc

By Ava Adams Adopting a newborn can be one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking times of your life. There’s so much stress involved, from interviews, to travel, to waiting, and more. Everything can start to feel overwhelming. One of the best ways to ease your anxiety is to get prepared and organized. It can give you something to do and give you the peace of mind that you will be ready when the time comes. Follow these steps to learn how to properly prepare so you can enjo

During National Adoption Awareness Month, we will introduce you to numerous guests, highlighting many parts of the adoption journey. Featured in today’s NAAM submission is a poem by our former Managing Consultant at RGAC (coming to us from Hawaii), Rachel Patten. Being an adoptive mama of 2 herself and walking countless other hopeful parents down the path of adoption, Rachel shares “The Easy Way,” which highlights what every parent through adoption knows…it isn’t an easy jour

February 14th, 2012 is the day my son and I became a family in the eyes of the law. It was marked by a phone call from my attorney. “Your adoption is officially finalized.” I’m sure he also said congratulations. Very anticlimactic and yet it was everything. It was that final exhale. It was freedom. The final milestone and the end of a chapter. Some call it Gotcha Day, Anniversary Day, Homecoming Day, Celebration Day, Forever Day,My Funny Valentine {Child’s Name} Day, Adopti

How do adoptive parents and birth families maintain open adoptions? Or even keep their word on promises to remain open? It takes commitment, a little effort, and a post-adoption contact agreement, which is part of every adoption. A post-adoption contact agreement is a formal contract that outlines expectations for ongoing contact between birth parents and an adoptive family. You will collaborate with your child’s birth parents (usually with the help of your case worker or att