Template
Practice Questions and Answers for Adoptive Parents
A free checklist for adoptive parents. Save or print a copy.
1. Who is the driving force for wanting to adopt?
Me (definitely)
Me (a little bit more than my spouse)
My spouse/partner (definitely)
My spouse/partner (a little bit more)
Both want to adopt about the same
2. Will this driving force dynamic cause conflict in your relationship?
Yes
No
Possibly
3. What age child would you prefer to adopt?
Newborn (under six months)
Infant (newborn to 2)
Preschooler (3 to 5)
Primary school (6 to 10)
Middle school (11 to 14)
High school (15 to 18)
4. How firm are you on the age selected above?
Absolutely firm
Willing to explore slightly older/younger
Not sure at all
5. Which of the following racial heritages would you be willing to consider in an adoptive child? (Select all that apply)
Any Child
Asian
Black
Caucasian
Caucasian/Black
Hispanic
Native American
Multi-Racial
6. Which gender would you prefer in your child?
Girl
Boy
Either
7. Would you consider twins?
Yes
No
8. Would you consider siblings?
Yes
No
9. Which of the following disabilities or risk factors would are you willing to consider in an adoptive child? (Check all that apply)
Alcohol exposed (occasional)
Alcohol exposed (frequent)
Drug exposed (occasional)
Deafness
Developmental disabilities (mild)
Developmental disabilities (moderate)
Developmental disabilities (severe)
Mild or medically correctable condition
Smoking exposed
Emotional/mental disorders in family
Emotional/mental disorders in child
Premature birth
Club foot
Cleft palate or lip
Down Syndrome
Epilepsy in child
Epilepsy in family
Blindness
Diabetes in child
Diabetes in family
Conceived through rape
Conceived through incest
Nothing known about father
Nothing known about mother
10. Do you feel you are stable in your relationship as a couple without having children?
Yes
No
Unsure
11. Will friends and family members be supportive of your plans to adopt?
Yes
No
Unsure
12. What level of openness are you willing to consider with birth parents?
Identifying open adoption
Open adoption without sharing identifying information
Exchanging letters and photos only
Completely confidential (closed) adoption
13. Where would you be willing to go to adopt? (Select all that apply)
Only in our state
Neighboring states
Anywhere in U.S.
International
14. Have you put an adoption budget together?
Yes
No
Don’t know where to begin
15. When and how do you feel children should be told they're adopted?
As early as possible
Mid- to late-childhood
As adults
Only when they ask
Only when they find out
Never
Not sure
16. Would you support/assist your child if he/she wanted to search, contact, or have a relationship with his/her birthparents?
Yes
No
Don't know
17. Will you or your partner change your workload or work schedule outside the home after the adoption?
Yes, I will stay at home with the child
Yes, my partner will stay at home with the child
I will reduce my work load to part time
My partner will reduce his/her work load to part time
Will remain the same
Already stay-at-home
18. Are you ready to love an adopted child as much as one you gave birth to biologically?
Yes
No
I think so
I don't know
19. Would you prefer to continue with infertility treatment before seriously pursuing adoption?
Yes, I want to
No, I don’t want to
My partner wants to, but I don’t
My partner does not want to, but I do
Not sure
20. How long are you willing to wait to adopt?
Up to six months
Six months to 1 year
1 year to 2 years
2 to 3 years
However long it takes
This creates a private checklist in your account.