Couple considers adopting boy

Q: We’re strongly considering adopting a baby boy from the foster-care system. He was removed from his birth home due to abuse when only a few months old. What do we need to know?

Jim: I commend you for your willingness to adopt a child from a troubled background. Our organization definitely wants to encourage you in this pursuit, but we also advise you to proceed carefully with your eyes wide open.

There’s no one-size-fits-all pattern here – every situation is unique. With that in mind, much depends on the individual circumstances of the child you’re planning to adopt and the type of foster care he received after he was removed from his home.