[jayebryd]

Hi, I'm a little new at this. I'm trying to start my own thread but I'm not sure that this is going to work. I know that most people on here seem to be either trying to adopt or searching for their biological parents. I however am a little different. I am attending college to become a social work major. I plan on working in adoptions when i graduate in 2004.
I guess I was just curious to hear about other people's experiences. To see why they chose to adopt and how everything was going for them. Eventually I plan on adopting children. Hopefully a little girl from china but for me that is still years away. If anyone would like to help me get a more personal view of how things have been going for them I would really appreciate it. (and if this doesn't work and start my own thread I'd also appreciate some one telling me how to do start one.)
Thanks
Jamie

[addielee]

I've wanted to adopt since I was fourteen. I had spent some time at an orphanage in Mexico, read books on young ladies in unwed mother's homes and decided I would eventually adopt. Of course, at that time I had no way of knowing I would be married for 15 years without conceiving.

We work extensively with teenagers and children from various states in the nation (we minister, have an internship program for teens and adults, and use a lot of drama in our profession). Anyway, we've been approached by four different young ladies since 1998 that found themselves in an unplanned pregnancy and wanted us to adopt their child.

The first time, the baby went home with us from the hospital. The adoption was contested by the birthmother, but the child was deserted and continued to stay in our care for several weeks before the biological father intervened.. She's now almost four and three different states are continuing to fight over jurisdiction.

The second one decided in her last trimester to parent.

The third had just turned 14 when we met with her and her family. She was meeting with a counselor. The baby ended up going to the counselor's friend's daughter.

...Which brings us to our current and fourth birthmother. We've known this young lady and her family for many years. When she first asked us about adopting this child, we declined. Upon further prayer and discussion with her and her family, we agreed. The baby is due in January.

This will be the first situation in which an agency is involved. I'm very grateful for the extensive counseling the birthmother is currently receiving.

I'll be glad to answer questions or have you "pick my brain" if you so choose. Again, what a great profession... helping people become families!

Best wishes!
Addielee

[jayebryd]

thank you for replying.
I won't graduate college still for another year an a half. I really want to work in adoptions but I don't know exactly what all goes on. It will be nice talking with some one who know about them. I really would like to do international adoptions. I have been reading a book called "The lost daughters of China" it was really amazing and informative. When I finally adopt that is most likely where I will try to adopt from. May I ask a slightly off topic question. What was it like in the orphanage. (I'm sorry that is kinda nosy feel free not to answer).
Thanks
Jamie

[GenXMum]

Jamie,

Have you thought about contacting the adoption agencies in your area for an internship? I'm on the board of directors for an agency in my area and we have at least one or two unpaid interns every semester. It's a great experience for them!

Best Wishes

[jayebryd]

GenXmum
Yes I though about that. Where I am a Social Work major I have to do two interships. One my junior year (next semseter) and one my final semester. But we can't do them in the same place and they prefer we do them in two different types of area's. YOu get more experience during the senior year internship, so that is when I will most likley get to work in my first adoption agency. I hope. Thanks though it is a great idea, maybe i could volunteer through the summer or something.
Thanks
jamie