Looking to adopt again and just wanting perspectives

[Theworldisinyourhands]

We have an almost 7YO dd. We adopted her as a baby. We're very happy. She can be a bit of a monkey at times like most kids her age and can be infuriatingly oppositional 🤣 but on the whole is a beautiful, clever, loving child who seems very happy and is thriving. She is asking for a sibling but don't get me wrong her dad and I are equally as keen. Does anyone have any experience adopting for a 2nd time? Would love any thoughts on what the process was like 2nd time around, any possible hurdles with our current dd and in particular parenting with quite a big age gap. Thanks xx

We've just been approved for 2nd time. We half expected a bio sibling of our adopted son may have come along but we didn't want to wait anymore (getting older!!). 5 years since last time!
The experience for us this time was similar to the 1st.. they wanted to go through everything again and add in the complexity of already having a child. The only shortcuts we have had is not having to do all the courses again and we did a shortened 3 day prep. We did have to do some of the courses though but we found them very useful.
I would say that going through this again has been a big commitment (it's felt more difficult to juggle the assessment meetings etc) but by getting through it has confirmed we want this and are ready.
I don't think they will feel 7 year age gap is big, it will have some challenges for you as you will have a teenager with another young child (depending on what age you are considering) however this may be of benefit in some ways.
A family worker had to do some sessions with our son which were fine.
Hope that helps :)

Thanks. What sort of things did they do with your son? Were you there with him?

O yes a family worker came round and did some activities with him and us. They just slipped in a few questions to see how they are and how they are feeling about a possible sibling. Never left them alone together.

We adopted some time ago and landed up adopting five more, all had special needs, absolutely no regrets, ask away!

We adopted for the second time when DD1 was 5. Both girls turn out to have different ASNs, plus their attachment issues manifest in different ways. They can be the best of friends, but at times juggling their competing needs can be incredibly tough.
DD1 went through a really violent stage and keeping DD2 safe was full on. Happily, she has pretty much come out the other side of that, touch wood!
I can't imagine life without either of them and when they are getting on together, seeing them together is the best thing ever.
We thought we had the capacity for a second child through adoption - emotionally, but also two lots of dealing with professionals, fighting for needs etc, different sensory needs - we do most days, but some days I'm exhausted on a level I can't begin to communicate.
If I could go back, would I still adopt DD2? Yes.