- What are your ideas about race and culture? Can you picture a child of another culture in your home as a child, a teenager, or as an adult? Are you willing to be a trans-cultural family - forever? How accepting is extended family, friends and your community of different races and cultures? Be honest.
- How do you feel about receiving a lot of attention, such as stares or questions from people? Are you willing to have an “open book” regarding adoption?
- Are you willing to accept a lack of medical information (or undiagnosed or misdiagnosed medical information) regarding your child?
- Are you willing to accept little background and/or family history information?
- Are you willing to accept the risks and unknowns typical of an international adoption?
- Are you willing to be educated, and to educate yourself, regarding the numerous issues related to international adoption? (Issues may include developmental delays, attachment and bonding, grief and loss, sensory integration, effects of institutionalization, cultural education, fetal alcohol syndrome, etc.)
- Are you willing to accept an older infant rather than a newborn?
- Are you willing to accept a child with some issues that need to be addressed (i.e., developmental delays, adjustment issues, language difficulties, etc.)? Are you willing to seek out, and accept help from, the necessary community resources to facilitate the development and adjustment of your child?
- Would you describe yourself as flexible? Are you able to commit with no guarantees?
The following questions might give you some indication of whether an international adoption might fit your expectations and desires for your family.
