Why did you choose to adopt internationally rather than domestically?

Jennifer L

We started thinking about adopting internationally because of a good friend, an adult international adoptee who was working for an international adoption agency. She started telling us about her job and the conversation turned to her experiences as an adoptee. That made us aware of the option to adopt overseas and gave us a bit of the understanding of the process.

Now, my husband and I had been talking about adoption for years, even before we knew we had fertility issues. We started subscribing to adoption magazines, read books, went to seminars for years before we actually started the process. In one of the magazines was an article about adopting from Africa. Again, I didn't even know that was possible. But it really got me thinking about African adoptions. I'd saved the article in a shoebox in my closet and when other events in our lives happened that pushed forward our adoption plans, I brought it out again.

I should also mention that my family has been ethnically diverse for as long as I can remember. One of my sister's children are the first generation of their family born in America and their father's family came from Africa. Due to those family ties, even though it wasn't my blood, I've always felt a bit of a connection.

Now that's not to say that we jumped headlong into adopting from Africa, once we made the decision to adopt. That's not my nature at all! And my husband is less impulsive than I am! So, we researched everything: domestic, foster adoption and international adoption. We drew upon the experiences of others, read everything we could get our hands on, and made an informed decision that was best for our family.

So, it wasn't money (there is a huge variation between international programs. Some are about the same as a domestic adoption, less medical expenses, others are much more). It wasn't because we thought it would be easier, because it wasn't. It wasn't because we wanted an infant, because we didn't adopt an infant. We adopted two school age children.

In the end, this is what we felt we were supposed to do, what was right. Our children needed a family. We were able to provide that. It's been an amazing experience and I can't wait to see what the years ahead will bring as the children grow and more of their amazing potiential is unlocked.

Thanks for the question

Cartier

I am single and first looked into foster care, and then into foster to adopt within my city/county. I chose not to proceed with fostering because I didn't think I would be the best decision to raise a special needs child. Plus, I wanted to start out as a parent with the youngest child possible.

My first instinct was to adopt from Russia, where my cousin was adotped from. But, I found that many children had problems that I had no experience with and it just didn't feel right to me.

So, I then looked into Guatemala. It made sense because I have an Aunt and Uncle who are 100% Guatemalan, and 6 cousins who are half Guatemalan. I felt a connection to Guatemala. And, there were many babies placed for adoption there.

I went to an agency and applied for a homestudy... the rest is joyful history.
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Smooch, I'm sorry but "dispelling some misconceptions" will not be done in here. There are too many people who hate adoption, adoption of babies, international adoption; hate single parents; or hate other people who disagree with them. I applaud you for trying, though. :-)

danny

for financial reasons

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