Single Parent Adoption

As I right this blog post, I realize some of my readers may disagree with what I have to say.  That is okay. All I ask is that you read what I have to say before making up your mind on the topic of Single Parent Adoption.

In An Ideal World

In an ideal world their would be no need for adoption.  Every child would grow up in a happy, peaceful home with his/her married, biological mother and father. Social services would never have need to remove a child from a home because there would be no abuse, neglect, or abandonment.  Parents wouldn't die and leave their children orphaned.

The World We Live In

The world we live in is far from ideal.   

Research shows that the best situation for a child is to grow up in a home with his married biological mom and dad. But this isn't possible for millions of kids who can't live with their biological parents because of neglect, abuse, and abandonment, or death of parents. These children need to be adopted or they will grow up in an orphanage or bouncing around in foster care. Research shows that adoption is much better for children than growing up in an orphanage.  Foster care was never meant to be a permanent solution for children.  Foster care has always been meant to be a temporary home with temporary parents until children can either be restored to their biological family or be adopted.

Since the World We Live in Is Less than Ideal

Since the world is less than ideal, I propose that adoption by a single parent is one solution to the huge problem of orphaned, neglected, abused, and abandoned children in our world today.

Isn't one parent better than no parent?  Isn't a stable home better than no home? Aren't children better off being adopted than growing up in an orphanage or bouncing around from foster home to foster home? 

 

Unique Challenges

Single parenting does have unique challenges. One challenge is the need for role models that are the gender of the missing (for lack of a better word) parent. Children of a single mother need male role models.  Perhaps a grandfather or uncle, or close family friend could fill that spot.  Children of a single father need female role models. An aunt or grandmother could help fill that place. Could you be that role model?

Another challenge is the need for support. Because a single parent doesn't have the support of a spouse, they need outside support.  They need your support. A single parent may just need someone to talk to.  She/he may need someone give them a break from parenting by keeping there children for a few hours. Most single parents also have to work. They would probably appreciate freezer meals and help with laundry or housework. If you know a single parent who is fostering or has adopted, please give them your support.

Courageous

To those parents who are brave enough to foster and/or adopt even though you are single, I to say "I admire you." What courage you have to adopt even when others oppose you! How brave you are to dare to parent without the support of a spouse! I also want to tell you, that "You can do it! You will be a wonderful parent!" 

Single Parents Are a Success!

This is the story of the Thiel family. Meet a single mother who adopted three children.