The newest blog buzz question is how to afford adoption. For me, as a single person, and a full time teacher, this was unfortunately a big part of how I went about adoption at the start. But, there are ways to do it no matter what type of adoption you choose. After researching, I decided that adopting through foster care was how I wanted to start.

For one thing, it was a good way to help children who needed a safe haven, even if for a short time period. There are so many foster homes that are NOT good. I have seen children who came to me from another foster home, with blisters on their feet and shoes in their hands because they didn't fit. When I asked why they didn't have shoes that fit, I was told that the previous foster mom used the money for herself. That is a mild example. Many of these children go from an unsafe home life, right into an unsafe foster home life. No wonder so many children rarely see adults as trustworthy in this system. Theirs haven't been.

Additionally, as a single teacher, foster care provided a way to help with the financial aspects of parenting. While it by no means covers everything (if you are doing your job as a parent and not just keeping the money for yourself while neglecting your foster children), the state covers medical aspects of foster children, day care is paid for if you work or are in school, and a subsidy is sent to you to help with bills.

If a child is unable to return home, and parental rights are terminated, the state will also pay attorney costs for the adoption, day care until the child is 3, and the medicaid card and subsidy remain.

I have found 3 of my children through foster care so far. 2 have been adopted and 1 will be in the near future. While I continue to foster, I am also looking ahead at international or domestic "traditional" adoption in the future. I have begun an adoption fund with "extra" money I receive from selling things on ebay, etc. I will also look into other fund raisers as the time comes closer.

For me, foster / adoption was a way to grow my family without worrying about the financial aspects.