Questions on adopting teenagers? ?

Lion for a Day

This subject is rather personal to me, as I too hope to adopt teenagers in the (hopefully near) future. The ins and outs of the actual adoptions agencies I really don't know too much about, though I would imagine that one of the previous answers is right. I hope so anyway, that a good agency will work to match you, with interests and the like. So my advice on that front would certainly be to give them as much information that may be helpful as possible.
I have, however, been working with youth for several years. Namely with troubled youth for the last two, so there are some things I could share. Hopefully they'll help you in what to look for, and how to deal with them.
Firstly, don't underestimate how big things are to them. I've talked to several parents (biological or non) and other adults that assume that since they're teenagers, or since they're children, that the things they're dealing with aren't really that big, or that they won't be dealing with as much as the adults are. Yeah...that's a bunch of junk. One of the youth that I was working with this summer had issues with being Goth, Cutting, Drugs, and Anger. His father had just been kicked out of his house for various reasons, and an uncle whom he was close to had recently been killed in a car accident (and did I mention that he was 11-years-old?). And almost no one else there, save his brother, knew any of that was going on. Which leads me to another piece of advice...
Be willing to listen, but don't expect them to talk. Many of the youth in adoption agencies, and similar places are used to people generally not caring, or relying on people that say they do care but then show in action that it wasn't true. Be willing to back up your words. If you tell them that you care about them, and want to know about what they're dealing with but then are too busy to listen when they try to talk to you, they will not try to talk to you again. At least not for a very long time.
Along that same line, actually be interested. If you're trying to find out what they're interested in, truly be listening, and be interested. If they know you will listen to them, and be there for the 'small' things, they're much more likely to trust you with the 'big' things.

Now I could rant for a couple hours on more specific things, or give you some horror stories on what might happen, but I will just leave you with that for now, and hope that things will go smoothly for you. I'm very passionate about work with teenagers and the youth, and am very grateful for people like you willing to take that chance. I assure you, wholeheartedly, that it will be worth it.
I will be praying for you, in your decision.

Meeko123

That's a wonderful idea :-)
But if you really are taking it seriously, you would have to get all the facts.
Alot of teenagers waiting on adoption have alot of emotional problems and things. Not all though :-)
just make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.
Bless you for considering it! :-)

IceBreaker27

A good adoption agency will strive to MATCH a child with the best home. You certainly won't be handed just any teenager. Evaluate your lifestyle - good, bad, preferences, dislikes, etc. - and give your agency as much information as possible. Also give some serious thought as to what types and levels of issues you are willing to handle - physical, mental, and emotional.

Kira-Kira Shiloh

I am a teenager (just turned 14 on August 30th), but I live with my biological parents. If you're thinking about adopting a teenager (bless you for thinking about it), I would say, that if you found someone you would consider adopting, try and get to know them first, find out first hand what their likes and dislikes are, maybe it'll turn out to be a good match and you become good friends. But that's just my opinion.

Knowalot2

I would be a bit carefl abt this. (although u have a gd heart admittedly).

Teenagers are likely to get angry too easily, are stubborn and get irritated too easily (due to hormones and stuff). But when they cool down they can be ur friend.

And yeah, teen days are the days where one gets too emotional abt things- and those are also the days when they need the most support.

good luck!!

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