Lots of questions ....

Just so I am up to speed on the "system" - does one approach a private social worker/agency i.e. Procare who facilitates a match between a prospective parent and a birth mother?

I would assume there is form filling, interviews, soul searching etc - and then profiles are submitted to birth mothers who decide on a short-list or a potential family/parents. The agency/private social worker than facilitates the process until the baby/child is handed over - and at that point it then moves to a social worker who deals with the legal aspect to move it through the court system.

Am I more or less following what the process is?

May I be so bold as so ask - how does one decide which agency to use? Does one register with one, and then wait, or does one align oneself with several?

There just does not seem to be a lot of forums being pushed by parents who have adopted, with their experiences. Why does it seem that there is this void of information or a common website that acts as a solid community for parents and prospective parents? Or is there and I am just missing it?

Other questions I have is, how does this agency "find" mothers and why would this process be different from say Child Welfare?

If anyone has experiences that they personally have been through, I really would welcome hearing from you.

Thanks very much - I looked through the article, and have spoken to a few adoption social workers who work privately or through private agencies and have a better understanding of the process now.

It obviously is still a bit scarey - the unknown - and there are probably going to be a lot of questions that are going to be asked that I probably have not considered, and may make me really look inwards regarding this decision.

There was someone who posted a note regarding that this was an emotional decision - and maybe shouldn't be. I am not sure who the thought of conceiving or adopting a child can't be an emotional decision.

Sure you do think it through and run through as many of the options as you can, but your heart and your soul pushes you forward when it comes to your children - no amount of logical spreadsheet planning is going to be able to answer your questions.

If I remained logical and stuck to what made logical sense, I don't think myself nor anyone would have their own children, let alone consider adoption. Logic tells you not to open your heart to the risk of pain and hurt, but your soul pushes you to do it.

Must say I agree with you - how do you divorce emotion from a decision like this which surely must come from the heart? Good luck, and remember that the positive comments do outweigh the negatives.

Luddite Lass - definitely want to make contact - thanks it will be appreciated.

I will try and locate you in a bit - if I can't (I may be technologically challenged) then please drop me a private message so I can reach you.

Yay, look forward to it.