[ShellM]

I have read different things about advertising that you are looking to adopt. From what I understand, in Alberta we can't "advertise" the fact (some places people run ads in the newspaper??), but has anyone thought outside of the box? On another site, girls in the states are talking about sending e-mails to everyone they know, asking them to send it to others... I guess a well-worded letter to let everyone know you are looking to adopt, in case anyone came across someone in that situation. I am not sure how I feel about this, but wonder what you guys think? My doctor now knows (she just filled out my medical report) and wishes us well... so if anyone ever came into her office saying they wanted to relinquish their child... I know she would think of us, but who else do you tell?? I have heard of telling your preist, local professionals... not sure if/what to do. I guess if the right situation came about, it could be a sucess. Any thoughts?

[timni]

This is kind of how we were matched with dd bmom. (loosley) When we decided to adopt we were still in the research decision phase when i read a book telling us to tell everyone we knew we were looking to adopt and ask them to tell other people. Well less than 3 months later I had a coworker come up to my desk and ask very non chalantly.... Are you guys still looking to adopt because my niece is pg and putting the baby up for adoption... I had also worked with the niece and helped her and her bfriend out in a tough situation. So yes I can understand that theory working for someone.

However i would like to add that I don't like the idea of an email to spread the word. I don't know but it somehow seems phony and impersonal. It could work for the right person I am just not sure I would pass on an email about someone I didn't know looking to adopt. Just my $.02

[Leigh131313]

Well, from what I was told, it is actually illegal for a doctor to do anything but refer them to a councellor or an agency...Someone in our workshop group did receive their child because of a doctor stepping in, so there was much discussion about it...but apparently it was illegal.

Personally....i would be embarassed to broadcast something like that. Everyone we know, knows we want to adopt again...i wouldn't feel comfortable actually asking people to keep an eye out, ya know?

I don't know....I guess you just have to do what feels right for you. kwim?

[ShellM]

Ya, the more I think about it... an e-mail list would be very impersonal. I guess we just need to tell more people than we had planned. With IVF we told everyone, then had no privacy or anything. With adoption, we had planned to tell very few, but telling more people may help us in the long run.?.? It's true that someone may know of someone looking to relinquish their child for adoption. I would hate to keep it too much a secret, then down the road hear someone say, well if I would have known you wanted to adopt... I knew someone who you could have been matched with...

With IVF I just hated all of the questions from people. Telling EVERYONE was a huge mistake. So, with adoption I wanted to avoid that... we'll see!

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by ShellM

I have read different things about advertising that you are looking to adopt. From what I understand, in Alberta we can't "advertise" the fact (some places people run ads in the newspaper??), but has anyone thought outside of the box? On another site, girls in the states are talking about sending e-mails to everyone they know, asking them to send it to others... I guess a well-worded letter to let everyone know you are looking to adopt, in case anyone came across someone in that situation. I am not sure how I feel about this, but wonder what you guys think? My doctor now knows (she just filled out my medical report) and wishes us well... so if anyone ever came into her office saying they wanted to relinquish their child... I know she would think of us, but who else do you tell?? I have heard of telling your preist, local professionals... not sure if/what to do. I guess if the right situation came about, it could be a sucess. Any thoughts?

People in our lives knew we were planning to adopt. There was no way to avoid it. We did receive a few calls from people saying "I know someone..." and I always asked them if it was the eparents idea to call or theirs. If the eparent was asking about the adoption possibility, I would give the person calling our agency's number and our number. If it was just the person's idea and they didn't know whether the eparents were even considering adoption, I would basically tell them to "butt out" (but in a nice way of course!)

It is illegal in Alberta. To me, it was a relief to know this as I didn't have to feel guilty about doing more, since I really didn't feel comfortable doing the "advertising" so many do in order to find a match.

[Ima2B]

Does anyone know what the laws are in Ontario? I have seen newspaper adsbut not sure if that is legal. Just curious.

[CanMomEh]

Originally Posted by Ima2B

Does anyone know what the laws are in Ontario? I have seen newspaper adsbut not sure if that is legal. Just curious.

Good question. I am in ONT too and find it hard to understand what the rules are. We are planning on going through Public System (CAS) and they only get 4-6 placements a year of infants so I often wonder if we can advertise or "network" through high schools and doctors and still use the CAS system (not have to pay the fees for lawyer)
A friend of ours works for the Peds unit in our hospital and she has been offered help by one of the Dr. to help her find a child if she wanted (she does not) but it makes me feel like hmmmm maybe he could help us.

I would love to hear from someone else in ONT thats has been there done that.

[patientlywaiting]

How about BC? I have tried searching for information but am having difficulty in really finding anything. I am currently registered for domestic and am searching for ways to get our name out there.

[CanadianMommyToBe]

Originally Posted by ShellM

With IVF we told everyone, then had no privacy or anything. With adoption, we had planned to tell very few, but telling more people may help us in the long run.?.?

I know how you feel - many people, especially at our Church know that we are hoping to adopt, and sometimes I think it makes it harder because every week we have to tell people that we still have no news...