[norblatulippe]

Hi I'm Stephanie. My dh and I are talking about adopting. We are pretty sure we will go to Guatemala, but the Chinese program intrests us. We decided we weren't quite ready yet and to put adoption off until our 29th birthdays(our birthdays are both in Sept.) I know you have to be 30 but I figured if we decide to go to China instead, I can start collecting papers and just move a little slower than I intended and all will be ready by our 30th. Anyway, I am wondering if anyone has ever adopted from China with bipolar disorder. I know we will be okay in Guatemala, but I am worried about how the Chinese gov't will feel about it? If anyone has answers I would love to hear them. Feel free to PM me.
Thanks, Stephanie

[Lissa]

My understanding is as long as you pass the blood test and a doctor attests to the fact that you will make a competant parent, you'll be fine. I've not yet adopted my baby. We should be going to China in Sept. We just put the crib together...VERY EXCITING. Welcome Stephanie. This is a great group of people.

[Sean&Shan]

Culturally the countries are very different. Do you and your dh have an affinity for one versus the other? Which would you be more comfortable incorporating into your lives and future family traditions? Beyond that, is it important to you that your child spend his/her infancy in foster cares (Guat) or an orphanage (most likely in China)? Do you have a gender pref. It is (supposedly) easier to get a boy in Guat., you will most likely get a girl with China. In addition to the different age requirements there are also travel and cost differentials between the two programs. All things to consider. For many people a program or a culture speaks to them. I am sure my dh and I considered these factors but I don't ever remember discussing any other country than China, it just seemed like the right fit for us immediatly. So while there is a lot consider, often times the decision is made as much with the heart as it is with the head! Good Luck!

[norblatulippe]

I think China appeals to my DH and me because of the girl situation. We have to bio boys. Also, the cost in Guat is very high even though travel is less, so the costs just about equal out by the time all is said and done. Culturally we are open to anything!! I'm just not sure about the wait. It's not quite two years till our 30th b-day. I could move slow, but seeing that I'm a stay at home mom and both boys are in school this year. I have a lot of time to devote to paperwork, and I imagine i'lll have it done pretty quickly. I'm not very patient (who is) so waiting two years seems like a long wait. Something else to factor in. Does anyone have an average age of the kids when they come home from china. In Guat it is anywhere from 3.5 months to 8 months. Thanks for the help
Steph

[Sean&Shan]

3.5 months seems young. Most of the people I've seen don't get a child from Guat. under 6 months. You get your ref. or "matched" sooner but then it is a longer time between ref. and travel. So be sure to check and see if agencies etc. are speaking of the age at referral or the age at the actual adoption. China will not give a ref. for an infant under 6 months and considers infant to be anything under 12 months. Because there is a 6-8 week wait between ref. and travel the baby is usually between 8-14 months at adoption, but not unsual to be slightly older.