Foster care provides a home to children who have no family, although it may only be temporarily. Adoption, on the other hand, gives children a home and a forever family to call their own. Sadly, many children grow up in the foster care system and are then less likely to be adopted. Georgia families interested in adoption have many resources available to them and may choose to seek assistance from family law professionals.
One family decided to look into adoption, even though they had three biological children. After beginning the process, they sought to find some way to bring attention to the fact that older children are often overlooked because of age. The mother began to take pictures of children in the foster care system, trying to show them that they are loved and deserve to feel beautiful.
One couple had chosen to adopt three girls who were between the ages of 8 and 14. While they agree that adopting a baby is fun because the parents get to watch him or her grow up and develop, older children already have an idea of what is going on, and they understand more about adoption and how life-changing it is. Adopting older children allows their new parents to walk with them through this time.
With over 80 percent of children in the foster care system being 11-years-old or older, the need for adoption of children in this age range is great. Those interested in adopting a child may want to look into those of all ages, understanding that even those who are older still long for a home and family to call their own. Family lawyers in Georgia can help prospective adoptive parents gain a better understanding of their options and how to move forward in this process.
Source: 21alive.com, “Traveling photography exhibit features foster care children”, Tom Powell and Kayla Crandall, Oct. 4, 2016