Adopting a child generally is a joyous event.
It's also a decision that should not be made without much thought.
The adoption process entails lots of preparation and schooling for the family to determine if adoption is right for you.
The decision to add a brand new member to your family could be the key to fulfilling a lifelong dream.
However, the process may be arduous.
It can be an overwhelming experience for even the most patient and tolerant person.
First there's the wait time, the mountains of paperwork needed and the dreaded adoption home study.
All prospective adoptive parents must undergo a home study in order to legally adopt a child.
It's a requirement that cannot be waived.
It is a chance for the potential parents to help the social worker understand who they really are as a family, where they come from, and what they hope for in the future.
Its main purpose is to collect information about the potential parents, guarantee their commitment to adopt, and assess their suitability as parents.
The home study does not need to be feared.
Adoption agencies are not in search of perfect families.
Instead they're basically trying to ensure that the prospective parents and adoptive child are a good match.
The adoption examine can sound somewhat invasive and scary for some adoptive parents, when in fact it is more paperwork than white glove inspection of your home.
The home study is really a study about the people in your home.
Through a series of visits and interviews the social worker can get a clearer picture of who you really are, and what life is like in your family.
After the interviews have been completed, your social worker will prepare a detailed report that will include an assessment of your capacity to love and nurture a child brought into your family by way of adoption.