Your home study will not only assess your ability to parent a child through adoption, it will also help you understand more about adoption and parenting. You are likely to be asked about the topics below, so give some thought to these questions. Note your answers; if you are adopting with a partner, DO compare your notes.
About Yourself
- What is your experience with infertility, and how have you resolved your grief over infertility?
- What are your religious/ethical background and beliefs and your plans for your child’s religious/ethical training?
- How were you parented in your family of origin, and how might your experiences growing up affect your own parenting?
- Any drug or alcohol dependency in your family of origin? How does this affect you?
- What is your relationship with your spouse/partner? How do you approach problem-solving and handle conflict as a team? Give examples.
- Have you ever been arrested? What for? Was this the result of “youthful indiscretion”? What changes have you made in your life to avoid a repetition?
- What role do alcohol and drugs currently play in your life? Have you ever been treated for drug dependency?
- Have you ever been seen by a therapist or counselor? What was the result? What is the current situation?
- What is your employment status? What are your plans after your child arrives?
- What is your financial situation? Are you able to live within your means and save for future expenses?
About Parenting and Adoption
- What is your motivation to adopt?
- What type of child are you interested in adopting and why?
- Can you consider taking a child with prenatal drug/alcohol exposure? Any other disabilities?
- Are you open to an ongoing relationship with your child’s birth parents?
- Are you open to parenting a child of another race? If so, what experiences do you have with children and adults of other races? How would you incorporate same-race experiences into your child’s life?
- What efforts have you made to educate yourself about adoption (books you’ve read, conferences you’ve attended, and your impressions)?
- What are your expectations of parenthood? Of your child?
- What are your theories about parenting (particularly discipline)?
- What experiences have you had caring for children?
- How does your family feel about your plans to adopt?
- If single, what are your daily support systems, your plans to provide your child adult role models of the opposite sex, and your plans in case of your death or disability?
