The objective of this study was to explore the practices of domestic adoption in some selected city administrations and Woredas in South Gonder. Jn order to achieve the objective of the study, the caSf study method with qualitative research design was employed. Accordingly, the study employed i ~ x DOMESTIC ADOPTION PRACTICES Abstract in-depth interviews with purposely selected participants that include four experts from women and children affairs office and nine adoptive mothers. The data from these interviews were analyzed by using thematic data analysis technique. The findings of the study indicated that religious belief, pre­ existed bonding with childrenand infertility were the major reasons to adopt children. Likewise, it was founded that the practices of domestic adoption is accompanied by various problems in applying formal procedures as per the national alternative childcare guideline. Children and adoptive mothers recruitment, case studies of children and adoptive mothers, approval of adoption and follow up mechanisms are surrounded by problems of one sort or another. Adoptive parents might have experiences of emotional ups and downs before adoption, during the adoptive process, and most importantly, after the adoption. Readiness to adopt, consultation with others and sources of infor~tion were discussed as pre-adoption experiences of adoptive mothers with their respective experiences. Adoptive mothers' decision to adopt a child was unplanned. Rather the situation of abandoned children forced them to have spontaneous decision. Feeling of adoptive mothers, acceptance by others, sharing of experiences and post- adoption challenges were also discussed as post-adoption experiences of adoptive mothers. All adoptive mothers have a positive feeling towards adopting a child. Securing permanent adoptive placements for abandoned children can be better achieved when Women and Children Affairs expert are fitlly aware of how the adoption process is .. ' practiced from the vantage point of legal provisions and guid