by Krystal Hood

Created on: April 23, 2009   Last Updated: April 24, 2009

Adopting a child may be one of the hardest decisions a couple could make. There are many decisions involved, and the hardships that one must encounter may be extremely gruesome at times. One of the biggest decisions is determining the age of the child that the couple should adopt. The adoption of infants and older children have advantages and disadvantages at each age group, but with lots of love from devoted parents, the triumphant outcome will always out way the obstacles that the couple must overcome.

Adopting an infant can be rewarding in that the couple can experience all of the firsts as if the child was one of their own. The couple also has the advantage of being capable of making the child interpret his or her parents as its own, rather than letting the child know that he or she is adopted. Although this age is rewarding, it does come with many obstacles to overcome such as all of the sleepless night time feedings and knowing that this child is depending on his or her parents at all times. On the other hand, adopting an older child would be a little different in that respect.

Adopting an older child gives the parents more freedom and feesibility to slowly adapt to parent hood, because an older child is perhaps more financially needy, but in general aspects less time needy. An older child has the ability to speak freely about situations and maybe the best characteristic: can tell their parent what is wrong with them. Adopting an older child is more rare and looked down upon by many parents, so when considering adoption of an older child, the parents will generally be giving this child a chance that he or she may have never had.

In conclusion, adopting a child is a decision that deserves great time and consideration when making the final decision of the age range in which the parents should adopt. Giving a child the chance to have a parent in general is more rewarding at heart if not for any other reason. In my opinion, the adoption of an older child is the best way to go because this child can respect the parents so much in which they knew what they did not have, opposes to what they have with the love of their adoption parents. Whichever decision the couple is to make about the age range of the child they intend upon adopting, the biggest thing that all parents must remember is to treasure every moment with their child, and to nourish and enrich their child's mind with as much as possible.

Learn more about this author, Krystal Hood.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.