When your child has a child, you graduate from parent to grandparent. You will likely continue to have a positive relationship with your own child while forming a new bond with your grandchildren. For most families, grandparents play an auxiliary role, providing childcare, backup, support and advice to their child and their grandchildren. However, sometimes, grandparents need to fill a much larger role in the lives of their grandchildren. If your child cannot or does not fulfill the obligations of a parent, you may have to consider filling that role for your grandchildren. Indiana does allow g ..read more

You may already think of your stepchild as your own. However, formalizing the relationship you have with them through adoption can make the idea a reality. The process of stepchild adoption is relatively simple compared to other forms of adoption. However, you must know that things can get complicated if your stepchild’s biological parent refuses to consent to the adoption. Termination of parental rights and consent The biological father of your stepchild must give up their parental rights for you to be able to adopt the child. In Indiana, this is done through a petition for voluntary terminat ..read more

You and your spouse have observed your two grandchildren from afar and close-up. Either way you look at them, you know that their lives could be a lot better than what they have now. Sad to admit, but they live in an unstable home led by an abusive, neglectful and addicted parent – your daughter. Any much longer in that environment, and they could be going down that same path and make the same mistakes. You cannot ignore such circumstances. You want them to have a better life. After a few weeks of discussion, you realize that the best thing is that have them live with you. And then even pursui ..read more

It is very common for a child living in foster care to have at least one brother or sister in the same living situation. If you are considering adopting a child, here are four reasons why adopting their sibling at the same time can be beneficial. Stability and security A child who has been in foster care has been through a lot of change in their lives. Even the newfound stability of adoption can take time to adjust to. Having their sister or brother with them provides some stability and the assurance that they are not going through the adjustment process alone. Easier bonding with new parents ..read more

Adoption remains a prevalent and popular option for an individual or couple hoping to expand their family. Each year, more than 100,000 adoptions take place in the U.S. But the term “adoption” is a broad brushstroke, one that belies the complexity and uniqueness of each and every case. One of the key differentiators prospective adopters should take time to understand is the type of adoption. The path you take will define many things about the process that follows. The 4 main types of adoption There are numerous avenues to adoption. Each type offers a range of benefits and hurdles you ..read more

As many as 134,000 children with special needs await adoption across the United States, according to the National Adoption Center. “Special needs” not only refers to kids with disabilities but those whose age, background or other characteristics make them harder to place. Experts estimate that nearly half of all children in this category have a developmental disability, leading many prospective parents to believe they don’t have the ability to care for them properly. However, for many, adopting a special needs child can be even more rewarding. Defining “special needs” Many people think of “spe ..read more

Adopting a child is rewarding for the entire family, but sometimes, these transitions take time. If you are adopting a child and you already have other children living in your home, there are some steps to consider taking that may help make blending the family easier for everyone. To help your other child or children adjust to the new blended-family dynamic, consider taking the following steps. Be mindful of giving the adopted child special treatment It makes perfect sense that you want to do everything possible to make your new child feel safe and comfortable in your home. It is important, th ..read more

There are many wonderful children all across the state of Indiana who, through no fault of their own, have family situations that have become untenable or unsustainable. Whether their loved ones died, wound up in jail, surrendered their parental authority to the state or had their parental rights terminated due to allegations of neglect or abuse, children in group homes or foster care need responsible, compassionate adults to help them. Taking in foster children can be a wonderful way to grow your family, either on a temporary basis as the parents work toward reunification or on a more permane ..read more

Fostering or adopting a child in Indiana may prove rewarding and fulfilling for you as well as the fostered or adopted child. Still, you must meet certain eligibility requirements to move forward. The adoption process also varies based on whether you seek to adopt an infant, an older child or a child who hails from another nation.  Regardless of the age and nationality of the child you wish to foster or adopt, you may find that the process is complex. Do not let this deter you: With more than 13,000 children currently eligible for adoption in Indiana alone, there is an urgent need for par ..read more

Adopting a child is rewarding on many fronts, but that doesn’t mean you should dive into the process before you fully understand the finer details. Since there’s a lot that goes into an adoption, it’s critical that you understand the steps to take, your legal rights and any hurdles you could face along the way. A basic adoption checklist can help you answer key questions and plan for the future. Here are a few things you should address as soon as you begin to consider this idea: The type of adoption: For example, there’s a big difference between adopting a step-child and adopting a child who i ..read more