Research shows that successful adoptions are more likely when families participate in pre-adoptive education and preparation. Specifically, if parents are able to identify and process motivations for adoption and develop realistic expectations prior to placement, then the adoption experience will be healthier and the family will face fewer struggles further down the adoption journey.
Unfortunately, research also tells us that most parents choose not to seek pre-adoptive education for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common obstacles to parents seeking pre-adoptive education and preparation are: unrealistic expectations associated with the adoption experience (they are good parents and will provide enough love), parents are focused primarily on the placement, lack of awareness of services, and unresolved emotional issues (infertility and other past losses are the most common).
Our hope at Weaving Families is that you choose to overcome the obastacles and choose to become educated and prepared. We are confident that you and your child will benefit through out your journey.
If you want to learn more, please follow the link below to read an article written by Weaving Families executive director RJ Caswell that summarizes current research on effective adoptive family preparation.
