How would it be like being adopted by a relative?  Is there a whole lot of difference in adoption by relative and adoption by other people?  Can the adoptee feel the same loneliness in the adoption process?

Well, I guess the answers to these questions are subjective.  It depends upon the adoptee and the process of being separated from his birth family.   There are cases wherein relatives tend to agree among themselves in having this child stay with them.  So, child adoption takes place.  Adopting the child may be done by a casual talk.  There are also wherein a parent or a relative wants to legalize everything.  So, they may refer to an attorney and relevant papers are processed.   A written agreement will also work.

Why adopt from a relative?

Having a relative for good is beneficial in your part because you are able to help your relative who is in need.  The fact that they are putting the child under adoption makes it clear that they are having difficulty in taking care of the child.  One reason may be difficulty in raising him or in supporting his needs.  Another could be lack of time to have him.  Probably, nobody’s there to look after him.  This is the case for children whose parents are gone by accident resulting to death.

Adopting a child of the same blood is not too difficult.  The adoptive person doesn’t have to start their relationship from zero.  It may not be that hard for the child also, especially if they are close already.  It would indeed be favorable for the child because he’ll get to see his birth family often.  During family reunions, the whole clan would be there and the child doesn’t have to be reintroduced to another set of family.  He will still belong to the same clan and doesn’t have to adjust to whole lot new faces of relatives.

The adoptive family or parents knows the hereditarybackground of the adoptee.  They know what needs has to be attended, how to handle him, how he reacts, and other basic facts about the child.  The same is true with the child towards his stepparents. The adopted child is aware of the reactions, attitudes, and behavior of his foster family, which is actually his relatives.

The feeling of staying with a relative for good varies from one person to another.  Some adoptees may feel comfortable with their aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents.  They are so compatible that the adoptee prefers to be with them than their birth family.  Some of them may be so close with their biological family that choosing to be in their relative’s family is also hard.

There are numerous factors to consider in relative adoptions:
*Adoption laws are generally state laws and can differ substantially from one state to another.

*In light of the differences in state adoption laws, the following is general information for your consideration. There is no substitute for advice from a competent licensed adoption attorney in your area who is familiar with the legal intricacies. (To find an adoption attorney, visit the Directory of Professionals.)

*“Relative adoptions” are not the same as “stepparent adoptions.” {For information, see Stepparent Adoption.)

In most states, relative adoptions are treated somewhat less formally than non-relative (”stranger”) adoptions. They may require only an abbreviated homestudy, or none at all. For this preferential treatment to apply, the adoption must fit the definition of a relative adoption under state law. Most state laws define “relative” by degree of relatedness. For example, Arizona adoption law defines a “relative” as “uncle, aunt, adult sibling, grandparent or great-grandparent of the child of the whole or half-blood or by marriage or adoption.” Not fitting in this general definition are cousins of any degree or children of nieces or nephews. You will need to consult your attorney or the specific law in your state.

General Considerations

1. Just as with any adoption, there must be a proper termination of the parental rights of both the child’s biological parents. New birth certificates are issued, and adoption records are sealed in accordance with state laws.
2. Adopting a close relative’s child may be the best solution for the child, but it can cause a radical change in the dynamics of your relationship with that relative. These types of relationships have the potential to become strained or severely damaged due to questions of “quasi co-parenting” and exactly who is the child’s parent. The reality is that this dynamic will be different for everyone involved, including all family members, and extending to other children the biological parents may have now or in the future. You will be confronted with questions of relatedness (is your child their cousin? sibling? aunt? uncle?), among others. Can this be done? Yes. Will it be a snap? No. The openness encouraged in adoptions today will help communication with all parties, and those experienced with relative adoptions strongly recommend counseling before and after the adoption whenever possible.
3. Depending on the child’s age and the circumstances of the adoption, talking to your child about the adoption may involve additional complexities due to previous and current relationships, death and grief, disappointments, and human failings. Do seek out support groups and educational books and tapes.