Adopting Again? Here's 7 Questions To Ask First

If you’re here, chances are you’ve already walked through the beauty and complexity of adoption once-and you might be wondering if it’s time to do it again.

Maybe you feel that tug on your heart to grow your family. Maybe you’re sensing God stirring something new. Or maybe you’re just curious, unsure, and trying to discern what the next step looks like.

Wherever you are in the process, I want to offer some gentle guidance. Adopting again is a big decision. It’s filled with a unique set of joys, questions, and challenges.

Here are seven thoughtful questions to ask as you consider whether now is the right time to start the journey again.

1. Why now?
Start by getting honest about your “why.” What’s prompting this decision? Is it a calling you’ve felt for a while, or something newer and less defined? Are you hoping to give your child a sibling, or sensing there’s still room in your home and heart? Whatever it is, take some time to pray, reflect, and journal through it.

2. How is your family doing—really?
It’s so important to pause and assess how your current family is doing. How is your child adjusting and attaching? How is your marriage, your emotional and spiritual health? These are tender questions, but they matter. Adding a child will shift the rhythm of your home again, so checking in with each other is a wise step forward.

3. What kind of openness and preferences feel right this time?
Your heart may be in a different place than it was the first time around. You may feel open to different things, or have more clarity about what’s best for your family. That’s okay. This is a new journey-even if it feels familiar-and it deserves its own thoughtful approach.

4. Are your expectations realistic?
Every adoption story is unique. Your second journey may move faster… or take longer. It may come with unexpected twists or sweet surprises. Resist the temptation to compare your timelines or experiences. Let this be its own story.

5. Are you prepared to navigate a new sibling dynamic?
Adding a new child will impact your current children in big ways. How will you prepare them? How will you make space for their questions, concerns, and excitement? Thinking through sibling dynamics ahead of time helps your whole family transition more smoothly.

6. What did you learn from your first adoption?
Look back with intention. What went well? What would you do differently this time? What did you learn about openness, expectations, or working with professionals? Let that experience shape how you move forward.

7. Who is walking with you this time?
Even if you’ve been through the process before, you don’t have to do it alone. Having the right support-both personally and professionally-makes all the difference. Whether it’s a consultant, a counselor, or trusted friends who’ve been there, find your people. We were never meant to navigate this road in isolation.

Adopting again can be such a beautiful extension of the love already growing in your home. But it’s okay if you still have questions. It’s okay if you’re unsure. And it’s okay if you want to take it slow.

If you’re considering adoption again Christian Adoption Consultants can help! If you would like to talk through what that could look like for your family, I’d love to connect. I’m here to guide you through the unknowns and help you create a plan that fits your family well.

Curious to learn more?
Reach out to me via email at kelly@christianadoptionconsultants.com, and I’ll send you a free info packet that walks through the adoption process and how I help families grow—again.

Returning CAC Family?
If you are a returning CAC client, don’t forget to ask me about our discount for alumni!