[ShellM]

Hello everyone. We are just beginning the adoption process. It feels so good to make the decision and get started. Our application is in the mail. Just looking for feedback from fellow Albertans. We are in Edmonton, and have heard Adoption Options is good, any feedback? What are the benefits of adopting domestically? Internationally? We have no clue where to start, but I guess once the paperwork starts rolling, before we know it we'll be in the thick of things. Anyone else out there just starting??

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by ShellM

Hello everyone. We are just beginning the adoption process. It feels so good to make the decision and get started. Our application is in the mail. Just looking for feedback from fellow Albertans. We are in Edmonton, and have heard Adoption Options is good, any feedback?

I will PM you... I don't think we're allowed to discuss agencies on the board. Is that right???


What are the benefits of adopting domestically? We wanted the experience of parenting from birth for at least one of our children. You also have an open relnship with your child's first family, which enables all of you to have a connection with the child you all love. Financially for us, it worked better... we have limited resources and we know that international adoption (even from the US into Canada) is much more expensive. The fees are fixed with no add'l support required for expecting parents so you can really budget and know what it will cost.

Internationally? Benefits would be a fixed timeline, for the most part, although some of the most dependable programs, China for instance, has had some delays now too. With domestic placement, your wait is undetermined as the expecting parents are making the decision, not an agency...

Anyone else out there just starting??Sorry not us... we are currently match and hoping our second child joins our family soon. With that, we are pretty certain we are done. You never know and we are also homestudy ready with Alberta Children's Services so time will tell on that one...

Best of luck!!! Just take it one step at a time.

[Leigh131313]

Hey there!

Unfortunately we cannot discuss the agency directly on this forum, but pm me with questions! We used them, and are using them again.

The big reason for domestic is getting a newborn, for us anyway. Not to mention the financial reasons, international is so expensive.

I'm sorta starting out, although for our second. Please join us on our Mommies to be thread!! We're all in the process there....or supporting those in the process There are quite a few albertan's here!

So, Welcome Welcome WELCOME!!

Hope to see more of you!

[ShellM]

Ooops! Thanks for setting me straight. It's quite silly to not be allowed to discuss agencies... how else would we know their track record??


Anyways, thanks for the Welcome! It makes sense to me now... a newborn is what we would love, and financially domestic sounds our speed. The wait will be longer, but we've waited this long already!!!

Leigh, can I ask you how much your domestic adoption ended up costing? Was it along the lines of what they tell you at the beginning, or were there surprises? I hate surprises! How long did it take after the paperwork was done?? I am assuming you adopted a newborn, how old now? I am sure the second time around is just as stressful, good luck!

Bug: Thanks for the advice. It feels good to get started and taking that first step. So glad you are matched, is it another newborn?

[Leigh131313]

Hi there!

I pm'd you

If anyone else has questions regarding the rules about Agency Discussion, please check out the sticky post at the top of the forum. If you still have questions or concerns, please pm me

your friendly neighborhood Moderator

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by ShellM

Ooops! Thanks for setting me straight. It's quite silly to not be allowed to discuss agencies... how else would we know their track record??


Anyways, thanks for the Welcome! It makes sense to me now... a newborn is what we would love, and financially domestic sounds our speed. The wait will be longer, but we've waited this long already!!!

Leigh, can I ask you how much your domestic adoption ended up costing? Was it along the lines of what they tell you at the beginning, or were there surprises? I hate surprises! How long did it take after the paperwork was done?? I am assuming you adopted a newborn, how old now? I am sure the second time around is just as stressful, good luck!

Bug: Thanks for the advice. It feels good to get started and taking that first step. So glad you are matched, is it another newborn?

Babe is due 6/24 so we are getting ready... for our adoption there really were no "hidden" costs. It all came out as they said... they only thing extra was for travel for the home visits (we live 2+ hours from Edmonton) and our costs for trips to Edmonton for seminar, meeting expecting parents, Bug's birth and some support group meetings.

[taramayrn]

If you'd like a bmom's perspective on Adoption Options please pm me.

[albertan]

Hi ShellM and welcome to the forums!!

DH and I are with AO and we have been with both the Edmonton office and now the Calgary as well. Feel free to PM me as well if you would like any information or questions answered.

Once again welcome

[polkadotghost]

I've PM'd you I'm from Sherwood Park and used them 3 years ago. So nice to see other Albertans here!!!!

[ShellM]

I am so excited!! AO has decided to hold a seminar next month, so we won't have to wait for the fall!!! It is such a relief, as we are eager to get the ball rolling! I have the application all ready to go, just waiting for hubby's medical so we can send it all in together!!

Thanks to everyone who has helped us so far! I'm sure I'll have even more questions after the seminar!! How long after you are "accepted" does the homestudy start?? How long does that process take? How many visits? My husband will be working out of town alot, so I hope some of it can be done without him??

[Leigh131313]

I think as soon as they can set up an appt. the homestudy will start. I believe there are 3 required visits. You cannot have your visits until your references have all been checked (not sure if they did that already)

After the meetings are complete, it can be anywhere from 1 week to a month (sometimes more depending on who is doing your report) until it is finished and you are ready to be shown.

That's what I've kinda seen happen anyway.

[OnTheJourney]

We went through AO in Calgary. Shell, Have fun at the seminar next month. We found that it was great and it gave DH alot of reassurance. We had all the original paperwork, medicals, checks, references done before the seminar. At the seminar we got the remainder of the paperwork and photo/letter instructions. These had to be done and in before the homestudy was booked. It took us FOREVER to get these things done, but I think it was because we just weren't ready yet. When we finally got going on them (late January), we finished up in less than a week. We had an awesome contract girl doing our report. It was exactly 5 weeks from the day I booked the 1st HS appointment until we were active on the waiting list. I was really impressed at how fast it went!

Good Luck and Happy Waiting for a Quick Match!!

-M

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by ShellM

I am so excited!! AO has decided to hold a seminar next month, so we won't have to wait for the fall!!! It is such a relief, as we are eager to get the ball rolling! I have the application all ready to go, just waiting for hubby's medical so we can send it all in together!!

Thanks to everyone who has helped us so far! I'm sure I'll have even more questions after the seminar!! How long after you are "accepted" does the homestudy start?? How long does that process take? How many visits? My husband will be working out of town alot, so I hope some of it can be done without him??

ShellM... I am so excited for you!!!! I'm glad you don't have to wait til the Fall. This is good news!

I can speak from our first experience... from our Seminar to approved and waiting it was 4 full months. From the time of homestudy visits til approval was two full months. We only had two visits since we are out of town, but I think the general rule is three. You DH most probably will have to be there for the homestudy visits so the agency would work around his schedule. They might even be able to do the "visit" all at once as an exception to your situation.

Hope that helps and let us know how it goes!!!

[ShellM]

thanks to everytone for thier well wishes. So the rollercoaster ride begins. We were not banking on government adoption... but thought why not put our name on the list (3-4 year wait for a newborn). We did all the paperwork, attended an info session, came back from our vacation early for a meeting which they cancelled last minute... now we find out we are unable to be accepted, as it must be a year since any miscarriage/traums etc. That leaves us waiting until Feb 07. It made so much sense to get started now, but cannot. I just let these things bother me too much I guess? We are so ready to adopt, but I am not sure if I can handle the new ups and downs that come with the whole process. I guess the best is to keep looking forwrd. Do you know if agencies have that same "rule"? I should call and check. If so, why bother paying for the seminar, application... I am so frustrated. We, our doctor and counsellor all feel we are ready. Arghhh.

[Leigh131313]

noooo...there are no rules for that as far as I know. In fact, I know people who were in our seminar who were still doing fertility treatments.

I would definitely ask before submitting any fees tho!!