[jchrapcyn]

We are just getting started in the international adoption process. I have post a couple things and everyone has been so helpful here- thanks!

I would like to know if anyone would share why they picked China? We are trying to decide on a country and one of the things about China that is appealing to me is I want a little girl!

[Lissa]

I do not yet have my child, so I have not seen the process all the way through. I am LID as of January (Been officially Logged in to the adoption system in China) and am expecting my child anywhere between August and October of this year.

I choose China because it was well established, there is a lower occurance of fetal alchol syndrome and drug addicted babies. It is one of the lesser effected HIV countries (though they are catching up) and I had an affinity for the culture I could share with my child. If I had adopted from Russia my baby and I MAY look more alike but I really had no connection to Russian culture. I just feel I can connect more with China than any other that was a viable option for international adoption

[suse151]

We initially thought we were going to go to Russia - but it wasn't right for us. We switched to China mostly because of the lower rate of fetal alcohol syndrome, one-trip, and a very stream-lined process (from what we've heard). Just do your research and really trust your gut. That's what made us switch gears and countries! Good luck with your decision.

susan

[jasonsmom]

We chose China for a couple reasons - we didn't want to go anywhere that required more than 1 trip, we want to adopt a girl, and China appears to have a stable, organized program. We had looked into Korea but the wait for referrals recently almost doubled.

Paula

[maavjiam]

Although I had Kaz in my mind for a LONG time, my husband and I chose China for a few reasons: we wanted to give a "girl" opportunities that she would not have in her home country, we like the fact that health wise the children are at the top due to cultural reasons, three I HAVE ALWAYS been FACINATED with the Chinese and Japanese cultures (I am Catholic, but I find Buddhism a wonderful philosophical way of life ---- I teach Religious studies...so you don't think I'm talking silly), and four my insides told me that is where my heart is leading me....as for my husband he would adopt any child, but agrees with me for the same reasons the reasons why to adopt with China. My cousin was adopted from Russia and he is a healthy boy and very happy and my other cousin is part German and part Venezuelan (born in Venezuela) and is healthy too and happy...so really when it comes to "other countries" there are very good success story but it does matter a persons preference. MY BEST ADVICE is to read, read and read!! There is so much to learn and there are some FANTASTIC LADIES ON THIS FORUM to learn from!!!

Cheers,

MAAV & JIAM

[prechrchet]

Ultimately, we chose China because we felt that was where God was leading us. However, we also chose China because of the huge number of children there that need adopting and because of the relatively short travel times.

[meimaemomma]

We're in the very early stages, but for us, to be honest, it was only a matter of China or a domestic transracial adoption. China has been on my heart since I was young - I told dh when we started dating then that I would be adopting from China, and he said it sounded good to him. My grandfather had served in China during WWII and shared with us a love of that country and its people.
We didn't really consider other international programs (though we've read up on everything). Our ultimate decision is based on the need, our family's interest in the country and its culture, and our ability to provide contact with Chinese-American role models. It was also influenced more selfishly by our desire for predictability: We almost lost my ds a few times due to complications with pregnancy. Also, our ds is now old enough to want a baby in our family and to suffer if we experienced a loss. It just seemed a good match, then, a family who needs a little girl and a little girl who needs a family. I will say, too, that we already think of ourselves as a multiracial/multi-ethnic family, and look forward to those challenges and joys together.
I don't know if that helps at all. Good luck to you!

[Mailbox13]

My wife and I adopted a beautiful, fully healthy little boy from Russia two years ago. We would love to go back. We fall in love with most places we travel to. I am sure that if we go to China, we will fall in love with it too.

We are now considering China. Choosing a country or method of adoption (international versus domestic, private versus public) is a very personal decision. You have to do your research and find your own comfort zone. I see several advantages to China.
1. Guaranteed Girl if you want a girl.
2. Very stable program
3. One trip as opposed to two with some other programs
4. Cheaper than some programs.

One of the earlier respondents made a comment about AIDs and fetal alcohol syndrome. The hot spots for AIDs on this planet are Africa, India, and China in that order. No one knows how bad the problem is in China because the government controls the information. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a problem in Russia. However, I know a lot of people with healthy babies from Russia. None have had a problem with this fetal alcohol syndrome.

Again, do your research and find your own comfort zone. There is no "wrong" decision.

[bchelgren]

My sister and her husband adopted from China. They brought there little girl home in November of 2003. I've always known what a wonderful thing adoption was, but after I saw how it effected the lives of my family, I knew that I would also adopt some day. So it was my neice that helped us decide on China.

[joyfulme3x]

I could have written Baked Potato's post. That pretty much summed up our reasons too (we also switched from Russia and everything BP said applies to us except the part about already having paid money to the facilitatior; we weren't that far yet).
Best wishes with your decision.

[Lissa]

"It will be an honor to raise an Asian child, and every family member has openly said they will welcome a child from another culture into our family. I actually feel humiliated about this, but I am glad that I have faced my own ignorance and dealt with it. I think it will help us in the future."

Don't feel too bad about this...I felt very ashamed for a long time that I wanted a boy and was very closed to China because of that. I had named my son when I was 12 years old...I'd even told my husband I was someday going to be the mother to a son and Simon was his name and did he have a problem with that? (He didn't.) I fought China tooth and nail holding on to the idea that I wasn't meant to parent a girl...then I read the Karin Evans book Lost Daughters of China and I knew that I had been dead wrong and that my child's soul was resting in China and I had to go get her. (It was strange I even bought the book because I was so dead set against China--but something made me purchase it and read it cover to cover. To this day I still don't know why I got the book and DH was shocked when I brought it home as he knew I wanted to go to Thailand.) It was a total turn around and I am convinced now that I was meant to parent this girl. It seems so odd now to even think about having a boy.

[SofiasMom]

I think China choose me! I don't think I would have adopted a baby if it weren't for China. In the mid 90's I read an article of single women adopting from China. When I was financially secure, I started the process. I also live in a city with a large Asian community and have close friends who are Chinese American.

My daughter has been an absolute blessing to me and my family. Whenever anyone asks me about adopting from China, I always encourage them: the process and the fees are certain (no surprises), there haven't been any major surprises in the time frames (SARS being the exception). But I also remind them that their daughters will have no birth family history and some insitutionalized children have a wide range of issues.

[donnagenelle]

I have said this before on this forum so to you seniors "sorry".

I believe with all my heart that China is where my daughter is and I am going to get her. I just know that is where she is. Sorry, no big reasoning and debating between countries. My red thread will take me to China. Hopefully Oct - Nov. time frame. DTC Feb. 10th.

Pray about it and you will make the right decission.

Jason