Where can I find great information on adopting a child?!?

BLW_KAM

To learn general issues about adoption, start here:
http://adopting.adoption.com/
To learn about some of the ethical issues about adoption, look here:
http://www.ethicanet.org/countrylist.php?pagestyle=countrylist
To research other adoption issues, read some of the newsletters here:
http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/newsletter/archive.php
To learn about the status of countries with international adoption programs, click here:
http://adoption.state.gov/news/notices.html
Start researching agencies in your state by looking for ones that are:
COA Accredited http://www.coanet.org/front3/front.cfm?view=3
Hague Certified
Nondenominational
Not-for-profit
Been in operation for a long time
Provide pre and post adoption counseling to the natural parents, adoptive parents & adoptees
Provide a registry for those wishing to re-connect with their natural families.

Try to find an agency close to home as there will be many trips back and forth during the approval process. Once you've narrowed the list down, Google for feedback about the agencies. Also take a look through this site: http://www.karensadoptionlinks.com/agency.html

Good Luck. Finding a quality agency takes quite a bit of legwork, but it can be done.

MamaKate

Try your local foster care agency.

http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/foster/
http://www.adoptuskids.org/

Good luck!

ETA: This is generally the most ethical and least expensive way of adding a child to your family through adoption. Plus you will have people who will walk you through the process as well as provide support if needed. If nothing else, it is a great place to start getting information.

realmom lese

"Quite a few bitter birth mothers hang out here and bash anyone who doesn't agree that adoption is evil."

Wow. Obviously compassion is not a prerequisite for adopting.

Try foster care, where kids already need a home. We "bitter" natural mothers think that adoption is "evil" when it is NOT about children that needs homes. Newborn babies already have homes, we try to preserve them and not painfully separate mother and child and curse them with loss issues for the rest of their lives just because someone that can't have a baby wants a fresh from the womb baby.

I hope you respect the other mother of the child you adopt, unlike a lot of the posters on these boards. Good luck to you.

grapesgum

Pose as a cute, pregnant college girl. The agencies will be at your door step in a matter of seconds (or less).

tish_part deux

really??? 1000?? did you look over >>>>>>

i find it hard to believe that you found NOTHING. unless what you're looking for can't be done.

i agree...if a simply google search is too much, then....

ETA: other poster said: "evil birthmothers??" seriously? if it wasn't for "evil birthmothers" many on here wouldn't have a child!!

unreal.

kateiskate

Click on the resolved questions tab at the top of the screen. There you will find a lot of information straight from adoptees, first moms, and adoptive parents who have all been through the adoption process. There you can learn about adoption from all three sides.

Also, Holt is a terrible adoption agency that is in business to make profit off of adoption. Rather than being in business to help children, they exist only to make a profit. I would steer as clear from Holt as I most possibly could if I did not want to participate in an unethical adoption.

cantstopLinnyG

Seriously?? On the right of my screen there is an ad for an adoption agency. If you cannot handle google, you may not be equipped to raise an adopted child.

As far as "Quite a few bitter birth mothers hang out here and bash anyone who doesn't agree that adoption is evil."??? That is preposterous. There are first Moms here who tell their stories. There are some adoptees who tell their stories. There are some a parents who tell their stories. Adoption is NOT always pretty. Its actually quite painful and rooted in loss.

For the adoptive parents, its a loss of being able to conceive (most of them) For the first Moms, it's the loss of their child, no matter what the reasons were for relinquishment. For the adoptees, it is the loss of their first Mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, countries, heritage, language and heritage.

And as far as Catholic Charities goes, "Catholic Scarities" as I call them, because my first Mom was treated like dirt by them, as was I went I went to find her, they are horrific, as is Holt. They make their money off the babies they procure, plain and simple.

Adopt through foster care. Those are the ONLY kids who need homes.

Gaia Raain II

Actually, this site right here is the best place to find "great information on adopting a child", what it's like for the child, what it's like for the adult adoptee, what it's like for the parents, what it's like for the adoptive parents, what it's like for women who have been asked for their children even when they don't plan to give them to strangers, what it's like for people who have changed their minds and decided to raise their own children despite everyone telling them they're unworthy...

You won't find information like this anywhere else. Yessiree, this is the very best place on the entire internet for HONEST information about adoption. Welcome!

gypsywinter

You have got to be kidding me!!! You googled 1000 adoption agencies, called an international agency and you have garnered no information?? Is quite hard to believe.

Philippa

If you have resorted to coming here for advice about adoption agencies then it does concern me that you're up to adopting. Try going through one of your local adoption agencies.

However if you want to find out more about the experiences of adoptive parents, adoptees and natural parents then that's a different matter.

Btw I'm a natural mother and I found it hysterically funny being referred to as an bitter birthmother .... makes me wonder about the sanity of some people as I'm not bitter - damaged by adoption but not bitter.

Mama2FourPrincesses

You need to get information from someone who has been there. You need to do some self searching as well. This site was created by an adoptee. Who after 30 years, was reunited with a 1/2 sibling she didn't know existed. The website author gave birth to one child, and adopted three. This will give you answers to ALL the questions you have, and some you haven't even thought of. LOTS of links to blogs of adoptive families so you can see the experiences of others across the country and around the world of adoption. http://www.adoptive-parenting.com

Binka

Call your local lawyer and ask to speak with an adoption lawyer. They handle adoptions almost every day. They will help you find a baby.

nanny411

go to the library or a good bookstore- you'll find dozens of great books on adopting, most with lists of agencies or places to call in the back.

Courtney D

try adoption circle.
trust me they are awesome
i went through them, and they are wonderful.

LovetheLORDfirst

Try Associated Catholic Charities no matter your religion. They are the best. Great to work with and very helpful!

God bless!

Sarah

I agree with LovetheLORDfirst, you should look into Catholic Charities. And not to offend anyone but you may get some grief for asking here. Quite a few bitter birth mothers hang out here and bash anyone who doesn't agree that adoption is evil. Good luck!

ETA: Sweetheart no one is trying to painfully separate mother and child. Birth mothers make the CHOICE to put their children up for adoption. Infertile couples don't just hang out at hospitals waiting to pry babies out of their mother's arms.

Gretchen

Well, Holt is a good place. But it only lets you adopt in certain states. I was adopted through Holt and I live in Oregon. Go to a church (and it doesn't matter if you're religious or not) they should be able to help you.

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