Reasons to adopt an older child

• No need to worry about diapers, midnight feedings, or expensive infant day care
• The child can actively and consciously participate in the adoption process
• The child will consciously overcome the language barrier if it is an international adoption
• A child adopted internationally may preserve the native language and grow up to be bilingual
• The child can provide feed-back about his or her likes and dislikes
• There is a good chance of matching character traits and interests with those of parents and/or siblings
• Most medical conditions are diagnosed by age seven
• The child may know his or her biological family history
• There is a better chance to adopt from some foreign countries, such as Ukraine
• There is a better chances of adopting a younger child as a sibling from foreign countries such as Ukraine
• Every child, regardless of age, deserves a good home

Things to consider before you adopt an older child

• Parents will miss the baby years
• The child, at least initially, may not want to be adopted
• The child may have bonding issues
• There will be an initial language barrier for a child adopted internationally
• The child’s character and personality will be at least partially formed
• The child may miss his or her friends and former home