We recently moved to a different part of Texas in order to be closer to Deaf resources for Laney. When I tell people that we moved across the state for the sake of our soon-to-be-adopted daughter, they usually react as though we cut off an arm. We must be amazing, wonderful, selfless people to uproot our lives “just” for our adopted child! Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. We didn’t relocate because we are saints, we relocated because it was the best thing for our family. Just because our daughter isn’t home yet, that doesn’t mean that she is any less a part of our family.
When people make the decision to adopt, their lives do change. First there is the life-changing impact of the paperchase, the classes, the homestudy, the waiting. Anyone who has adopted a child will tell you that their lives began to shift the moment they made the first steps toward adoption. Many more changes come your way when you finally become parents (whether adoptive or otherwise). Everything about your life changes and you change with it. As your child grows you begin to make more decisions that alter how you do things – your group of friends may change, you may begin to attend a different church, you may become involved in different activities.
Our choice to move falls into the same category as these other changes that are made. Sometimes God calls you to a certain child, but something about your current location is not best for that child. If where you live will not meet the needs of the child you are adopting, then you have a responsibility to find an area that will.
So, should you move for your adopted child? Here are some reasons that you may need to consider this option:
•Does your area have schools that will meet your child’s educational needs?
•Do you have access to the specialists, therapists and other professionals that your child may need?
•In the case of a transracial adoption, is your area racially diverse enough that your child will feel comfortable?
•Do you have the support of other adoptive families nearby?
•Do you need to be closer to family or friends in order receive their assistance and support as you raise your child?
Take the time to consider if relocation is the best thing for your child. Remember that changes made for your child will often benefit your family as a whole.