Adopting a child is the greatest joy in life, and it is a lifetime commitment. Most people have a hard time comprehending just how long of a commitment it truly is. While most children are adopted within weeks or months of being born, the length of time it takes to adopt a child can be anywhere from six months to more than 20 years. While some adoptees find that they are able to maintain their bond with their biological parents over time, others do not. Some adoptees feel like they are constantly trying to prove themselves worthy of their adoptive families. Others feel guilty about the fact that they have been given a gift that should not belong to them.
There are many reasons why a child might need to stay with his or her birth family. If the birth family has an unhealthy environment for a child, he or she may need to remain in that home. If the birth parent is abusive, neglectful, or violent, then that child may need to remain in that situation until he or she can be safely removed. There may also be medical reasons that make it necessary to remain in that home. In these cases, the best thing that an adoption agency can do is provide the support needed to allow a birth parent to raise their child properly.
The length of time that it takes to adopt a child varies, depending on the adoption agency that is involved in the process. It is generally accepted that a child needs to spend at least 12 months in an adoptive home to ensure that they are ready for the adoption. This is based on the idea that children should have a healthy and happy childhood before they are adopted. Once they are adopted, it takes them an average of two years to adjust to the new family and find their place in that family.
Sometimes, children need to spend additional time in the same home that they were raised in. For example, if the child was adopted from a country that has different customs, it can take more than one year to learn the customs of the new culture. If the child was adopted from a different religion, it can take up to five years to learn that new culture. Children who were adopted internationally can also spend additional time in the same home if their birth parents had a difficult time adjusting to the change in cultures.
Many adoption agencies can help to guide children through this process and can ease the transition. They can help the child learn about the new culture, give him or her resources for learning the language and customs, and provide social services to help the child learn about the new family.
In addition, an adoption agency can be very helpful for adoptive parents. They can help the parents get the necessary training and education to be successful parents. They can also provide them with guidance and tips on how to raise a child in their family.
Adoption agencies are there to help families be successful, and the length of time it takes to adopt a child is just one of many things they can help to prepare for.