Questions to ask yourself when considering adoption

1. Are you ready to raise a child?
This is probably the most important question of all. Do you feel that you have the life experience, knowledge, and discipline to lovingly raise and teach a child in everything that is required? Can you deal with exasperation and frustration on a continual basis without taking it out on the child? Do you feel that you are ready to be a parent for the rest of your life, every single day and minute and hour?

2. How much time will you have to devote to this child?
Do you go to college? Are you still in school? Do you work? Who will take of the child in the meantime, and if you have to pay them how are you going to afford it? How much time would you actually be able to spend with your child?

3. Where will my child grow up?
Do you live in a nice neighborhood? Are there good schools? Are there other children around and a place for them to play? Would you want your child to play with those children? Where would the child stay in your apartment or house? Is it safe? Is there a park or yard for them to run around in? What animals do you have?

4. What environment will my child be raised in?
Do you have roommates or live with others? Will they be a good influence and help create a positive atmosphere for your child to grow up in.

5. Will this child have two parents?
This is debatable but if you feel that it requires 2 people to raise a child, then this is something to consider. However there are many single mothers out there who are successfully raising their child. If your child's father isn't involved, is there another male (your dad, brother, uncle) who could be a positive male role model in your child's life?

6. Who will help you raise this child?
Do you have anyone willing to support you mentally, emotionally, physically, financially? Do you have a good network of family and friends that are willing to help you? Is the child's father involved?

7. Other children (if you have them)
Will parenting this child deprive your other children of necessities?

8. Finances
Can you afford to raise this child? There is WIC, and many other programs for single mothers, etc. Look at them and the requirements. Do you want to use them? Would it be enough? What would you have to do?

9. Culture and identity
If you come from a specific culture or heritage, it may be more difficult to find an adoptive family with the same cultural heritage, etc. or who is willing to bring the child up with awareness of their background and history. This is something that you may want to take into consideration.

What NOT to consider:

1.Being threatened
If your boyfriend or husband threatens to leave you if you keep the child, do not factor that into your decision. First of all, I don’t think they really care about you if they ask you such a decision. Secondly, if you break up with them later you will live with that decision for the rest of your life.

2. Opinions
Your support group (friends, family, what have you) will probably have very definite ideas of what you should or shouldn’t do. This needs to be your decision because your baby and you will live with it for the rest of your lives.

This is a HUGE decision and only a decision that you can make! Don't feel rushed or pressured into making this decision. While I understand that it is often better to make this decision during pregnancy so you have the opportunity to get to know an adoptive family if you decide to move forward with making an adoption plan, don't let an impending due date rush you into a decision.