Taking Care of Yourself

Both before receiving the child and after the child's placement, adoptive parents need to be sure to take care of themselves. Adoption often is an emotionally charged experience with many highs and lows.

SUPPORT GROUPS
Participation in adoption support groups can be helpful while you're waiting for a child, and is especially important following adoption. These groups are designed to help adoptive parents cope with the challenges of raising adopted children through the sharing of experiences by fellow adoptive parents. Groups may have been formed independently or under the auspices of an adoption agency. Cost generally is minimal.

PARENTING OR ADOPTION INFORMATION CLASSES
These classes may, in some instances, be required as part of the adoption home study process. Since adoption is a life-long process, many parents also find it helpful to continue to learn about adoption issues and parenting as their children reach different stages of development. You may wish to attend workshops or seminars that focus on telling your child about his or her adoption, dealing with common parenting problems such as bed wetting or fighting, or working effectively with teachers and the school system to be sure your child's needs are met. Classes frequently are sponsored by an adoption agency and a small registration fee usually is required.

RESPITE CARE
Respite care programs are designed for adoptive parents who need an emotional break. Typically, this involves someone else taking care of the child for a short time, such as a few hours, a weekend, or more. When families use respite care, they need someone who has the expertise to care for their child or children -- someone with more experience than your neighborhood teenage baby-sitter is likely to have. Some government subsidies may be available to pay for respite care for those who adopt waiting children, but parents usually have to pay for this themselves.

© This information is from the Federal Citizen Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration.