[EC3]

I just posted this same question on the Guatemala forum,
but I would appreciate your feedback as well.
My husband and I are debating b/w Guatemala and China.
The main drawback of China is that I would have to wait until I am 30 (a year and 3 mos away). The main draw is that I could get a precious little girl! Either way I will be happy to just be a mom, but would love for someone to give me any more reasons for choosing China.
Thanks!

[foxl]

Why not BOTH???

China is running slow. Guatemala is as usual politically enmired, but could be QUICK! Do your research, choose an agency, then decide!

[Momof2boysinOH]

Hi. I saw your message on the Guatemala board. I wanted to respond but of course my message would be skewed towards China.

My husband is also very concerned about finances. He couldn't get past the fees for Guatemala, even though I'm Hispanic and most people would assume we'd adopt from there.

For us, China was a good fit. We wanted a daughter since we have 2 sons. The fees are among the lowest for international adoption (I think Ethiopia and Colombia are comparable). We found the dossier for China to be very straightforward and flexible for our particular situation...my dh was born in a foreign country and most other programs would expect him to obtain his foreign birth certificate. This would have been time-consuming and expensive (he would have had to fly to Portugal to get it). China accepted his U.S. passport in lieu of his foreign birth certificate.

I know most people on the Guatemalan forum will tell you foster care was probably the biggest deciding factor for them. In China some of the babies are also in foster care so you might want to keep that in mind. Another country with foster care is Korea, and that program is less expensive than Guatemala.

Referrals for Guatemala come quickly but then you might have to wait a long time to bring your baby home because you're at the mercy of PGN. With China you wait longer for a referral (currently 10 months) but then you're sure to travel about 2 months later.

I've rambled now. Good luck with your decision!

[Sean&Shan]

For us the long standing repuation of the Chinese system was a bonus- they have a history of healthy babies and of being straightforward with both heath information and fee structures.

We also felt very comfortable and even excited at the prospect of incorporating aspects of Chinese culture into our family life which I think is an essential part of any international adoption. There is a strong support network for both children and parents with the FCC- (Families with Children from China) and we also have a large Asian population in our area so our daughter will blend both culturally and visually with her classmates. Just a few other factors to think about.

The travel is more extensive and thus more expensive for China but again, we are looking forward to that part of the process and the travel expense is still less than the increased country fee for Guat.

[foxl]

Except if you use Guat, Shannon, so many people feel obliged to VISIT! So that tends to raise the costs ...The other Guat thing is, it is so dramatic -- you can get stuck in PGN for many weeks, or suddenly get out and need to GO!

China is calmer, more predictable, if, GENERALLY speaking, a longer wait. Unless you use the Waiting Child program.

A question, are you interested in getting your child as young as possible, or as soon as possible?

[Trace7]

We did look at Guatamala because my DH was only 28 when we decided to adopt. But we liked the stability and predictability of China, and the cost is a bit less. Plus - my brother lives in Asia (Japan before, now Hong Kong), so that was a big draw for us, too. It actually wasn't too bad waiting for my DH to turn 30. About 8 months before he turned 30, we started the home study and paperchase (which is good, because that all took us 9 months!)

[cfc]

As the mommy to two Guatemalan blessings and one darling China blessing I can promise you that there is no wrong decision here! I love both countries and both have pros and cons. Follow your heart.

[vitaminp]

stupid question here, but what is PGN???
TIA!!!

[stayjay]

I agree with two previous posters, first of all there is no wrong decision in this situation! Second, why not do both. If you fit the criteria for Guatamala, persue that first, then when you fit the criterea for China, adopt your second from China.

What a blessing to be in your shoes!


Come on referrals!!!!!

[cfc]

no stupid questions!
PGN is one of the court systems your adoption has to go through in Guatemala. When you are out of PGN you are finally almost done. In Guatemala you have an attorney and he has to file paperwork for the adoption and also make sure the birth mother shows up to sign off 3 different occasions. Totally different process than China. There are all of these different steps and it can be very stressful at times. (But of course so worth it) It is just VERY IMPORTANT you choose a reliable agency with Guatemala; because of the way the process goes, while with China even though there are some agencies that have strengths and weaknesses, there isn't near the worry on that end becasue of the CCAA handling everything with such precision.

[Godsdghtr2006]

I just wanted to say that I agree w/ all the previous posts. You have to find what you feel most comfortable and what "fits" for you and your family. I agree there are no wrong decisions. We too (my dh and I ) debated between the 2 countries, but decided on China for all the reasons already posted, but most importantly that is where are heart led us. You will know, just look at both and discuss it for a while and then all of a sudden you will know. God Bless you where ever you decide, because he loves all the little children of the world.