tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215221452163344319.post-63972685278976866282008-06-03T14:46:00.005-04:002008-06-03T20:25:29.464-04:00Sometimes what you consider a hindrance to adoption may actually be a benefit! Don’t be afraid to share with your caseworker and include in your homestudy the challenges that you have faced. Look what research has shown:<br /><br /><br />• Families who have experienced challenges in their lives and have handled them successfully are often just the right people to adopt waiting children! <br /><br />• Families without a lot of parenting experience can parent successfully. <br /><br />• Working outside the home should not be seen as a deterrent to being good adoptive or foster parents. <br /><br />• Families coming from all different backgrounds (social, economic) make good adoptive and foster parents. <br /><br />• Out-of-state families can be good resources for children. These families can maintain contact with former foster families and other relatives of the child despite distance. <br /><br />• Medical problems, disabilities, and obesity do not necessarily interfere with parenting abilities. <br /><br />• Parents who are recovering alcoholics or recovering drug addicts and who have been in recovery for a period of time can be effective parents. <br /><br />• Effective parenting is not dependent on one’s marital status (nor on religious affiliation, financial status, or where the family lives). <br /> <br /> <br />If you have questions about what should be included in your homestudy visit adoptuskids.org or call 1-888-200-4005Kate Kirkpatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15070339283074690076noreply@blogger.com