[buddy8203]

Is family allowed to come to China?? My MIL would love to come and being a RN I would love it too!! Is there a limit to the number of people. One more thing, is there a lot of walking in China. The only thing I am worried about my MIL coming is that there is going to be a lot of walking.

Thanks
Judy

[Lissa]

That's a question you need to ask your agency. Originally Russ' uncle who lived at the White Swan for a time was going to come with us when we adopted Lydia. We made sure we asked agencies if relatives accompanying would be alright. For some it was, others made you pay extra and others flat out said no. We picked our agency specifically because there were pro-extended family. Unfortunately, due to his business and the timing of our trip he was unable to join us.

As for walking...again I think it depends. We didn't walk alot unless we chose to walk. We had busses take us everywhere official. For "outings" taxi's are very very inexpensive and (at least where we were) easy to hail. Sometimes we hailed a taxi without trying and would have to say "No thank you."
If you are gonna take a taxi have your guide write in Chinese for you some of the places you might want to go...Wal-mart, a temple etc. and then make sure you have the card of the hotel where you are staying. It makes for much easier communication. Russell and I were out and about more than anyone in our group just because we did those simple things. We got along fine all on our own and manuevered China pretty easily!

[Trace7]

My brother and his family live in Hong Kong, and my brother will be joining us when we get our baby. Our agency is fine with it.

[chinagirl2006]

My mom & sister are coming with us. I just need to let our agency know at referral so they can have a room booked for them also.

[julianneo]

My MIL and my mom are both coming with us when we go. Our agency was very excited that our moms wanted to come with us. They will need to pay for it, but the agency will take care of their travel arrangements.

[cungar]

Our agency discouraged it because they say that they feel the first two weeks should be a special time for only the parents (or siblings) and the adopted child. A time when one on one bonding is most important.

[chinagirl2006]

Sounds like each agency is different...so see what your SW says. Our agency thinks its fine - that way you have someone to help run to the store, run the video camera, take pics, etc. My mom & sister know that they will need to let DH & I have alone time. So its good they have each other to explore China with.

Just like if I were to give birth to a child...I would want my mom & sister there. Its the same but they just can't hold her all the time. I want them to be there to experience what its like to get their 1st grandchild / niece.

Oh yeah...plus the extra luggage space I can take from their suitcases will be great!

[oleson1]

In our group, one couple had a the wife's step mother along. It was kind of nice. She was like the group's "nanny", group photo taker, etc. The thing was, she knew her place. Also, 2 families brought along their children.

I think extended family coming is going to depend on what your agency allows, but most will say it depends on what you can handle. (Personally, 2 weeks in a small room with my husband and my mother would have been more stress than I could handle... ).

As for the walking, we did a lot, but we chose that. A couple of families in our group stayed in the hotel almost the whole trip. The day trips are almost all optional. Lissa's right, even the trips you have to take (doctor visits, consulate appointments) are by bus or you can get a cab for a fairly good price.

[Doreenz]

I am planning to have my mom (and possibly dad) join me. DH is going to stay home with our boys.

[lovemybulldog]

Echoing everyone else...I think every agency will give different advice and/or may have regulations about it. Our agency discussed the pros and cons, but strongly discouraged anyone that could be confused by the child as the parent. For example, one gal took her sister who is a year younger and looks a lot like her. The little girl was confused and frustrated about who was who and it caused some issues.

Another couple took their parents, but laid out rules, boundaries and limitations (kind of like the dog whisperer) before they left, so there was no confusion. They did not hold, feed, or change her during the trip. I think they were more "sanity police" and camcorder jockeys. The plus side was that they got TONS of pictures as a family since there was always someone else to hold the camera.

Our family would drive us nuts, so we pretty much told them that it's the rules...otherwise both grandmas would EXPECT to go! LOL

[jasonsmom]

Our agency prefers people don't accompany you unless you're traveling alone or are bringing other children. My best friend is coming to help out with my 8 year old and they're fine with that.

Paula

[twf]

My parents came with us on the trip and our 4 year old daughter came too. Our agency was fine with this. It was great having them along esp as they helped with some babysitting of our 4 year old when we had official stuff to do or packing which would have bored her.

My parents travel a lot and have been to China many times. They also had their own room and they are fairly independent so they some sightseeing that we would have enjoyed (but never managed to). It was nice having them to run a few errands for us when hubby and I got sick.They weren't overly involved in the care of the baby. In fact, I think they each held her once for a few minutes on our last group evening out and that was it.

We did do some walking around on some of the signtseeing but they were all optional trips. For the official stuff, we were bussed from place to place.

[mommy2B2Nina]

I just assumed it would be alright- I also assumed there was a fee for bringing more than just yourself.

We are just starting the homestudy part and my DH will be staying home w/ our 3 boys when I travel to China. My sister (a NICU nurse) and my neice are planning on going with me. Now I have a million and ONE questions to ask our SW......

[vivismom]

We are planning on bringing our daughter Vivi, who is 2 now, but will probably be a teenager at the rate the referrals are going. OK, maybe she'll only be 4 or 5. TO keep positive, I'm excited that she'll be potty trained before we go!

[eager2adopt]

My daughter invited my husband and I to join them to get our granddaughter two years ago. We travelled with them and with their two oldest sons (8 and 7 at the time) We had a wonderful trip!!! Not only did we get to share in welcoming our new granddaughter to the family, we also did alot of 'extra' sight seeing as a family (went early and returned later than our group) We had such a wonderful experience and our granddaughter has been such an inspiration, that now WE are adopting!! We will be 'older' parents, but I know we can give another little girl a great loving family, and she will have a sweet, chinese friend already in the family. When we travel, my daughter and her family will be right there with US. Best of wishes to you, I hope it will work out for you too!