[landsbury]

Hi,
I am interested in adoption and more of infant adoptions. I would not mind adopting internationally but I had a bad experience traveling over to another country and would want to know if there are any agencies that bring infants from other countries to the usa and what would they be . Also, have any of you ever adopted a drug or and alcholol exposed baby ? If so what were the issues from mild to severe . I am not married but live with a boyfriend so would I at 25 am almost 26 be only applying for single parent adoption or would both of us need to apply for that since we are living together ?

[catbite]

Hi,
In regards to your post, a few thoughts. First, singles can adopt as I am single. I would recommend solidifying your relationship with your boyfriend in terms of permanency as if things were to change in your relationship, it might add confusion for your child as well as additional stress on yourself. I'm also not sure how this would be viewed by home study social workers or the powers that be in other countries. I'm not sure of all the rules, but at minimum, your boyfriend would have to be INS fingerprinted and would need to be involved in the home study. Maybe someone else has experience with this.
Secondly, I traveled to meet my children and highly recommend it as there is no substitute for getting a flavor of the country and conditions from which your child came. If travel is a problem, programs in several countries allow for escorts. I know Guatemala does, and I believe that Korea ? does to. Intercountry adoption is not for the faint at heart... both my kids processes were long, problematic stressful, and expensive, but I reap the benefits every day when I see them smile & giggle.
Mary Anne