Shannon Philpott-Sanders

Weighing the Options Between Adoption and Surrogacy

Published May 2013: Mom.Me

Weighing the Options Between Adoption and Surrogacy
The two very different options for building a family depend on a variety of factors. You make the call

Article Excerpt:

A bouncing baby boy or giggling toddler girl can bring love and life to a household. For childless couples hoping to have a family, adoption or surrogacy can be their best options. The process of starting a family this way can be immensely rewarding, but there are also many challenges.

“One of the biggest things prospective parents should consider when seeking a child through adoption or surrogacy is that it’s usually a very, very long process from start to finish,” says Christina Steinorth, a California-based psychotherapist and author of Cue Cards for Life. “It could be 18 months before you have a child, but often it’s much longer—sometimes two years or more—before you’ll be able to bring your child home with you.”

It is best to prepare yourself for a long waiting period, as well as for the costs that each option entails. Make an honest evaluation of your family’s needs. Once you determine that adoption or surrogacy is indeed the right course of action for everyone involved, prepare for the life-changing journey to come. The process can be lengthy and challenging, but Steinworth says it’s ultimately “worth the wait.”

Read the Rest of the Story Here

– Shannon Philpott

May 20, 2013 - Posted by sphilpott | Feature Stories, Magazine Writing, Sample Work | adoption options, adoption or surrogacy, parenting