[Theminesweeper]

hello. i'm just wondering if the current estimates for 41 months - 5 years is accurate for a healthy child. i've actually heard an estimate as high as 8 years and that the adoption agencies just won't tell us that because they know that we don't want to wait that long. whatever input anyone has would be so appreciated. i would hate to invest so much money, only to find out i will be much older (and more tired) than i anticipated.

thanks!

[KarenInCa]

I think 41 months is too short to expect. The latest referrals were for people who've waited 36 months. It's been rising since December 2005, and every month it becomes a longer wait for those in line. They're still on applications sent in by March 2006, and that was more than 3 years ago. Most likely it will go up to at least a 5 year wait.
New guidelines and restrictions went into effect in May 2007, and some say that after the referrals for those who put in their applications after May 2007, the wait will start to go down, simply because there are many fewer applications after that date. But, really no one knows. Our first daughter was adopted in March 2006, and it only took 10 months for her referral. We've already been waiting 27 months for our second daughter, and we're prepared to wait another 27 or more.
Keep in mind also, if you're seeking a healthy infant, any adoption plan could take 5-8 years.
My personal thought is that it will go to 5 years then start going down again. But that's just me.

[jessibird]

I am not sure they are not telling people because they know they don't want to wait that long - I think it hasn't happened yet, so they are not going to say it. They are telling families what the wait is for families getting their referrals now. It is almost impossible to know what it will get to.
We began the process in Mar. 08 and there has yet to be a speed up or looks of one. There are less dossiers after (I think 4/07).

I do know some families with LID's of Nov/Dec 06 are planning on another 4 yr wait...