[MissyAmomChina]

Hi,

I'm coming from a different perspective. We adopted Lilianna from China in 2004. We also had a wonderful experience. We explored various programs for our second adoption for multiple reasons none of them having to do with negative feelings towards China.

Due to many, many factors, China wasn't the best match for us for our second adoption and we are currently adopting from Taiwan. Taiwan is the right decision for us and I'm happy with program.

While I know the wait times are brutal right now in China, I do miss the stability and predictability of the program. I don't mean that tongue in cheek. I can honestly say that yeah it's hard to wait--but it's such a predictable process. Everyone does the same paperwork. Everyone gets in the same line. You can easily see where you are in line. It's all so systematic. Taiwan is sooooo not like that and I miss it.

[prechrswife]

I would be up front with them about the wait times and the new criteria, but I would definitely recommend the China program to others.

[tbrown0428]

I have to agree with everyone here in that I would 100% recommend China to anyone interested in IA. The health of the children is excellent in comparision to other countries with the possibility of FAS or other issues, the birthmothers are usually healthy and we are all logged in where we have somewhat of a guess when we will travel with other groups, have the opportunity to choose a girl or boy (with a wait if wanted) and are provided with a picture of that child versus going to an orphanage and choosing our child, we only have to travel once for approx. 2 weeks and only have to have 2 follow up "visits", one at 6 mos. and the other at 1 yr. I believe some countries require you to report back every year until the child turns 18.

Since we are going to be submitting our DTC as soon as we complete our fingerprinting we know the wait time will be lengthy but are prepared for that. Our large China only agency has prepared us for this from the start telling us that when we just began our paperchasing 4 months ago that the wait was 18+ months but now it appears to be about 24 months. We are ok with that because it will give us time to get our finances together as I will not work once the baby is home for at least the first 4-5 years. I have to say if the process in China was not as stable as it is then there is a slight possibility that we may have chosen another country but our heart is in China and know that our little girl will be waiting for us. I hope for all of us that the time passes quickly but feel that once we all have our wonderful children home those 2+ years of wait time will be a distant memory. Hope this helps!!

[richard p.]

China 101%. Yes the wait is long - but at least now you know it will be long. When we started paperwork for our second the wait was about 7 months. We waited 15 1/2 months and that was tough. I look at my two healthy well adjusted intelligent little girls I know deep down that that is the most important thing - not how quickly I was able to get them. Read all the stories of failed domestic adoptions and some international adoptions and the wait will not seem that long.

[Couchkat]

Absolutely! We wasted $10K and 3 years on Domestic adoption with a facilitator. Now we have a beautiful darling from China.

Of course I would tell them about the wait.

[newtoadoption]

NO!


China is evolving and changing---experiencing a tremendous economic boom. I suspect the IA program will reflect that and perhaps there are other countries with more of a need for families at this time.

And with the wait being so long, can you imagine what the IA program will be like in 3-5 years? Will there even be one anymore?

[KarenInCa]

The only thing that really makes the process unpredictable for us waiting now, is the time. It's a 99.9% certainty that one will receive a girl if requested, and it's the same certainty that one will receive a child at all, without the program shutting down, or stopping for a period of time to do 'maintenance' on the program. Now, if China would have shut it's doors temporarily to restructure, and made it so that the agencies loss accredidations for their program while waiting to reopen, then I would say it's unpredictable. But instead, China kept it's doors open while restructuring it's IA program, which (IMO) makes the program not only predictable but reliable. The fact is, that for those of us waiting at the time, it seemed difficult to see what was happening when most other IA programs would have shut the door first.
If we were to start RIGHT NOW, I would know that it would take around two years from DTC to referral. And that's what I would predict.
Again, currently, you see it as unpredictable because you started the process thinking it was (probably) going to be around 9-11 months from DTC to referral, so in your world the predictability has gone away.
I would most definitely suggest this program BASED on it's reliability and it's predictability still.
We follow a lot of blogs, our blogroll is probably around 40-50 strong. I'm also active on several forums, including our daughter's orphanage forum, and there are very few children that have (long term) health issues that are not disclosed prior to referral. So, the health of the child is also (mostly) known, which adds termendously to the predictability. We will receive a GIRL that is HEALTHY within 2-3 years, and all of that is with 99% certainty.
How much more predictable can it get for someone just now starting out? Well, ok, it can turn around for referrals to be sooner than 2 years...but then that would not be considered (by waiting parents) to be unpredictable nor unreliable, it would be considered instead to be an unexpected surprise. Same thing, but different.

[twoinblue]

I definitely would although it is a personal decision.

I guess for most people it is all about having a child in your arms which is of course the goal. For us the culture of the child was very important since we would be trying to lift up that culture to our child and the culture is very much a part of them. Besides we considered how the child would fit in where we lived and if they would be able to find friends they identified with. I feel like it would be a disservice to my child if I didn't like the country they were born in. It would make it seem like that rescued orphan cliche and I don't want that to be the case.

Despite what happens with the program I will always be enamored with the country of my son's birth. China is amazing!

[Karen in MT]

My answer is, no! I have to agree with Jennifer. I believe there will continue to be changes with China to the point that I would not want to recommend it. Even though it has been one of the best so far. Just a guess, but I think other countries will step forward in the world of adoption.

[ElectricGypsy]

It sounds like some of the negatives on recommending the China program are speculation on what the future might be like. Currently, it is STILL the most stable program for International Adoption. Can we really honestly predict what it's going to be like for ANY International program in the future? We can only really go according to what we know from current information.

I guess to each his own on their opinions on China as a country to adopt from. Like I stated previously on this post, I would absolutely recommend the China program---according to what I know of the program now.

I have a question...It looks like some of those that have negative responses about the program are currently in the waiting stages for their adoption. Is there a reason that you have not switched countries?

[pgruodis]

Originally Posted by ElectricGypsy

I have a question...It looks like some of those that have negative responses about the program are currently in the waiting stages for their adoption. Is there a reason that you have not switched countries?

Like Not walking-away from a Slot Machine ...I've dropped too many coins in this one!

[newtoadoption]

Originally Posted by ElectricGypsy

I have a question...It looks like some of those that have negative responses about the program are currently in the waiting stages for their adoption. Is there a reason that you have not switched countries?

We are considering other options, and it breaks my heart to be in this position. It's really really tough when you have a lot of time invested to make a change. For us personally, we have 17 months invested emotionally, financially, and even physically (17 months is a long time when you are past a certain age and becoming less fertile).

[Karen in MT]

The question posted did not ask how satisfied we are with the China adoption program so far or even what we feel about the stability of it. It is a gazing into a "crystal ball" question. Predicting from what we know now on the future of the program for our friends and family. Due to the quickly changing ecomomy and advancements of China, I personally believe there will be changes that will have a great impact on not only the country in general, but adoptions as well. How soon will we see these changes? I think we are starting to already. It is a beautiful country and we are already in love with the daughter conceived in our hearts. We have way too much invested in time, money and most of all in our hearts to even consider a change. I just believe that changes to the program will happen and maybe not all that far down the road. Not at all slamming what has been a great country to adopt from. We in no-way went into this blind. Just my opinion. -Karen

[pgruodis]

Latest #'s are that in the Last 6 months, CCAA has referred Only 1.5 months of LID's...and things continue to slow-down.
I think it is safe to say that China Adoption is Not "Predictable & Stable" any longer