[shorner]

... And I think I'm going CRAZY!!! I am torn between adopting from China and Guatemala, and every time I think I have it figured out, I hear/read something else that makes me re-think my decision!

Anyway, how did you all decide to adopt from China vs. other countries? Have any of you adopted from Guatemala and China? How do the two processes differ? How long does the entire China adoption journey take at the moment? What are the agencies with the best reputations for China adoption?

I have 3 bio sons and want to adopt a daughter. I am concerned primarily about the health of the child we adopt. Originally, I was considering Russia and E.E., but have since ruled them out based on risks of FASD and RAD. I know that RAD is a risk when adopting from China, too, so any feedback from those of you who've adopted or are in the process of adopting would be helpful. Also, do you know whether there's a good YAHOO/LISTSERV group for those considering adopting from China? I haven't found anything in my internet travels yet.

Thanks in advance,
Sarah

[Sean&Shan]

We are adopting from China primarily because of the lengthy history they have of successfull adoptions and excellent health records. You should also think about which culture you are more comfortable with incorporating into your home and family. If your goal is to have a girl, China seems to be a natural match, but I guess I am a little biased at this point in time. My understanding is that you only need to travel for 3 days to adopt from Guat., it's almost 2 weeks for China, so I know that travel is a considration for many couples, especially those that already have children at home. We have already started talking about our second Chinese adoption and I would probably travel with my mother while my DH stays at home with the little one. There is also a considerable price difference (China ends up being less expensive). In the end though, it seems like the decision is made more with the heart than the head. Good Luck to you!

[bthomas9500]

Hi shorner,

For DH and I it was initially a choice from the heart. When I approached him about adoption we felt instantly drawn to China. In my heart, I think that decision was made for us by God because it feels so right, so perfect for us. However, once we started telling family members about our decision to adopt, we got asked "Why China" by virtually everyone. My MIL especially asked us to consider other countries where the children looked more like us. UG!!!! In order to answer the "why" question with something other than "that's what we feel in our hearts" we researched after we decided... a little backwards! What we found simply reconfirmed the decision our heart had already made...

+ China has had a very successful program
+ the children are generally more healthy
+ birth parents have little access (generally...) to drugs & alcohol
+ we wanted a daughter since we already have a son
+ the country has a beautiful heritage that interests me
+ the process is fairly predictable
+ the time table (wait) is not unreasonable

Good luck to you in your decision. If you practice a faith, try letting that lead you to your destiny and child, wherever in the world that is!

Brandy

[Sheba]

Hi Sarah,

We knew people who have adopted from China and they had nothing but good things to say. We researched it and decided China based on expense, the love of the culture, and we wanted a girl. Plus the track record for healthy children is better than most any other country. We are asked monty times still about why not Russia they look more American. Not an issue with us. We do not care about her ethnic background and looks. We actually are having a great deal of fun investigating it and preparing for it with our other children. The trip to China is two weeks and that is fine. We are looking forward to the adventure of sightseeing and visiting with other people. The chinese people seem very receptive of us coming there to adopt and that makes it even better. We are even taking our son with us. The girls are staying with Grandma. It will be a great experience for him to be included in.


Go with your heart and good luck.

Julie

[hcromwell]

We, like the poster above, were initially looking into an EE adoption, particularly Ukraine. We actually even signed with an agency and started our paperwork for a Ukraine adoption. Well, I started panicking about what I was reading about RAD and FAS and we switched to the China program, which happens to be our agency's strongest and most popular program. We feel much more comfortable with the health issues and we wanted a little girl, which wasn't as likely to happen adopting from Ukraine. Plus, every time I imagine my daughter I imagine a little dark-haired girl. I know, it's silly, but that's what I've always imagined. I have, however, also heard very good things about Guatemala although I have no experience with them.

[donnagenelle]

Hi,
I know that this isn't as informative as the other answers given. I'm sure you will do the research and find tons of info. But I would also encourage you to follow your heart. It is our heart felt drive that has gotten us this far. The reason that we are adopting from China is because that is where our daughter is.

She is there and we are going to get her.

God bless
Jason

[KarenInCa]

Jason,
I just have to comment on your response. Thank you for putting it so eloquently. It reminded me of one of the letters of recommendations that I got from a friend at work...
"When Karen told me about her and Scott’s wish to adopt, I could not have been more excited for their baby."

Reading those words....could not have been more excited, for their baby..... it made us both stop to realize that our baby is already destined to be with us. She is waiting for us.