You will need to establish a
relationship with a pediatrician, identify some babysitting resources and
possibly a daycare provider. If your child will be school-aged, you will need
to become familiar with the school system and add a dentist to your provider
list.
If you already have children in
your home, be sure to spend time with each of them, talking about the upcoming
adoption. Ask them what they’re thinking about, what worries them, what they
are looking forward to. Talk out fears and help them with the facts so they
will have good, solid information. They may also need your help to figure out
how to talk to their friends about adoption.
Why not? Once the child has been
identified, you will have enough information to know what you need. Even before
a child has been referred, you will probably know if you will need car seats,
etc. Plus, you will always eventually need sheets and blankets and other
necessities that you can put away until your child is old enough to use them.
This is a great time to read about
childcare, parenting techniques, education, etc. It’s also a good time to read
about handling the adoption story with your child. Most children we know are
completely aware of their adoption story and tell it with the pride that comes
from having a special circumstance. You will need to figure out how to handle
that issue with your child.
This is a wonderful time to think about the blessings that
you have as you’re waiting for the blessing to come.
