In my last post, I stated that adoption is a business, as part of my definition of adoption. Remember that each of these posts are just a tiny piece of my definition of adoption, and to get the big picture, you need to read the entire series. :)

To add to yesterday's post, I am going to say that adoption is expensive. It is an unfortunate reality. I remember back when I first started thinking about adopting. My husband had had a vasectomy because I was told not to have any more children for medical reasons, and I was actually online looking at "reverse vasectomy" information (sorry Josh!!!!) because I was just sure that we were meant to have more children. I saw an ad for adoption, and something inside me clicked. Aha! That was it. The answer to my prayers.

I did some website surfing and got more excited as I started looking at pictures and reading stories. I was soaking up information as fast as I could, getting more and more excited, and then it all ground to a screeching halt, as I read something along the lines of, "most adoptions cost between $10,000 and $20,000".

Obviously we found a way to make it happen (several times!) but the reality is that adoption is expensive and that stops a lot of potential adoptive parents before they even start. Most people don't have $10,000-$20,000 (or more for some adoptions) laying around. Parents considering adoption are often doing so after going through a long (and expensive) battle with infertility, or after already having a family that they are taking care of.

Very early on in our first adoption journey I read on an adoption fundraising website, "where there is a will, there is a way." It seems really simple (and it is), but it inspired me.

So, if you are considering adopting, or are in the process, and are feeling "down" about finances, remember that you can make it happen. It may be challenging and it may take some hard work and creativity, but you can do it.

For adoptive parents, the basic ways of paying for an adoption (when you don't have piles of money laying around) are fundraising, loans and grants. Here are some links to find more information on all of the above.

Adoption Fundraising Part One

Adoption Fundraising Part Two

Adoption Loans Part One

Adoption Loans Part Two

Adoption Grants

Adoption Grants - Part Two

More Adoption Grant Resources

New Grant Organization for Adoptive Parents

There is also the tax credit, which can be a good financial help for some adoptive parents.

Adoption is expensive, but there are many ways that parents can come up with the money to make it happen. People take out loans and find money every day for cars, vacations and all sorts of things that don't really matter. While it can be overwhelming and discouraging that adoption is so expensive, I can definitely promise you that it is worth it, and our family is the best thing we have ever invested money in.

More tomorrow on my definition(s) of adoption. :)

*If you have not yet participated, make sure you visit this post and enter the fun giveaway for National Adoption Month thanks to Curls.

*Photo is from Liquid Library