Before You Adopt: Questions Every Mom Should Ask

Thinking about adoption but not sure where to start? Suzy Shaw and co-host Cheryl Bohn sit down with Ryan Hanlon, PhD—President & CEO of the National Council for Adoption (NCFA)—to cover what every mom should ask before adopting. We get real about eligibility, timelines, costs, open vs. closed adoption, medical info, choosing an agency, and how to know if your family is truly ready. Clear, practical, zero fluff.

Guest: Ryan Hanlon, PhD (NCFA) — adoptioncouncil.org

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Eligibility criteria by adoption type and state
• Foster care vs. private domestic vs. international: timelines & costs
• What “open” adoption actually looks like today
• Medical/background info you can expect—and how to evaluate it
• Questions to decide if you’re ready (as a couple and as a family)
• How to find an ethical, well-matched agency

If this helped, share it with a mom who’s considering adoption—and follow the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide for next week’s part two on life after the adoption.