Only recently have social agencies begun to place children for adoption by single parents. The capacities of such homes to deal with the stresses of family life, or to handle the extra demands of the older or handicapped child who may need an adoptive home, are unknown. This study, following a group of single parents for the first four years of their lives with adopted children, illustrates some of the satisfactions and problems of this form of adoption. The homes are diverse in family structure, income, and occupation, and in ability to meet the needs of the child. However, some distinctive family patterns can be identified. The study points to the need for more information about these adoptions in order to differentiate the applicant who will become the remarkably capable parent from the applicant whose child may later experience difficulties.