Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I adopted a toddler as a single mom. The joys do outweigh the challenges, but it can be difficult. Daycare is crazy expensive and even after that, there's aftercare and camps in the summer. My DD is now in her 20s, but there was a long period where I wasn't saving for retirement so I could meet all the expenses, so I now have less than I hoped.
One of most difficult aspects is how 24/7 the job is. There isn't much downtime, except for naps and when they go to bed. Even with a circle of friends or relatives, there were certainly times when she was young that I just wanted a break and there was nowhere to turn, particularly if I was sick.
But on the upside, we formed a very close bond with just the two of us, and experiencing all the joys of childhood, from bedtime stories to catching fireflies to trips to the beach, makes up for all the hard times.
Any reason you chose to adopt?