Table 3.

Themes Across Time: Pre- to Post-Placement

Theme	T1: 4-6 Weeks Pre- Placement	T2: 4-6 Weeks Post- Placement	T3: 5-6 Months Post- Placement
#1: Transition From Uncertainty to New Normal	Uncertainty (“trying to remain calm”; “hanging in limbo”)	Happy it’s over! / Transitioning/Moving Forward with a New Normal	Life is good! Settling into the New Normal
#2: Unique Experiences Related to Adoption	Adoption Preparation (sources of support, family friends, adoption agency)	Adoption Circumstances (Child parental preferences; older child adoption harder)	Adoption Circumstances / Unique Contexts (living in birth country, foster parenting, multiple children)
#3: Rest/Fatigue: Out of Balance	Rest/Fatigue (Related to parenting and adoption process)	Rest/Fatigue (Difficult due to child/ infant not sleeping well)	Rest/Fatigue (May or may not be due to child, i.e., lack of parenting skills, winter months)
#4: Life Stressors	Everyday Life Stressors (Diagnosis of illness, finances, family medical leave)	Everyday Life Stressors (Job, going back to school, deceased family member)	Everyday Life Stressors (Personal illness, work-related stress)
#5: Faith/Spirituality	Faith/Spirituality (Anecdote to uncertainty, provides hope)	Faith/Spirituality (God has provided, provides hope for future that all will be okay)	Faith/Spirituality (Part of broader support system, provides way to cope with unexpected)
Subthemes	Previous Losses (Failed adoption, country closed, jaded attitude)		Joy and Love! (Grateful for child, enjoy parenting)