[dd0031]

Hi Judy,
Thanks for writing me back. Yes. Wide Horizons is an agency that handles both domestic and international adoptions. Their headquaters is here in Mass, where I live. When I told them that we were interested in adopting a toddler, they said that I couldn't sign up in their domestic program due to the fact that domestically, they work primarily with birth mothers, therefore infants. They told me there were many waiting children (toddlers) avail internationally.

The agency you used, when you said there were "some" toddlers, were you referring to interstate or within your own state? Do they have a website?

Thanks so much for your help.

Danielle

[MaryT63]

Hi ladies,

Thanks for sharing your experiences with your children and those to be.....
I myself am not over the "baby Dream"...and prob never will be unless I get an infant. I guess I just assumed that I would never get one through the county. We are not doing a private adoption because we were told that we would have to spend upwards of $20,000 + to get a healthy newborn. Is this true ?

Although an older child (pre teen) would fit well into our lifestyles, my heart aches for a little one.....a baby. What are my chances ? I am open to bi-racial or either sex of an infant. If toddlers are scarce, I can't imagine how rare a newborn is.

Comments please !!!

Blessings,

Mary P.S. Im SO glad I found you gals !!! Bless you !!

[dd0031]

Hi Mary,

I had a long discussion with a DSS worker yesterday. I learned a lot!! It won't cost you anything to put your name on a list while you hope and pray for an infant. It does happen. Of course, you would have to get a homestudy and complete all of the requirements needed for any adoption, but while it costs you nothing, it can't hurt to try to adopt an infant this way. Even if you ultimately decide to adopt internationally or privately, you haven't lost anything (time or money) by also trying to adopt through the foster care system.

The DSS worker and I stayed on the phone for about an hour yesterday and she answered every single one of my questions. Sooo helpful.

I too am grappling with domestic vs. international. But if God has placed an infant on your heart, He has done that for a reason. Just as He has placed a toddler on mine...

I have been told that by adopting internationally, a "waiting child" or toddler would be quite doable. There are many. However, when I think of the thousands of children in this country that need forever homes (infant and older) I have to admit I find myself asking "why would I go half way around the world and pay so much $$?"

I don't know. I'll continue to pray that the Lord show me (and all of us) the path He wants us to take.

God Bless

Danielle

[MaryT63]

Thank you Danielle !

friends of ours ran an orphanage in Romania, and I was sure that was where we were to get our child from...unfortunately, the Romanian Govt. stopped the adoption process for most, and took over the orphanage *shudder* my friends were loving and caring for the kids so much !

So, here we are just beginning the adoption process, and hoping and praying that we do it all the right way. I am still hoping that a friend of a friend may say "I know a pg teen who wants to give her child up"......maybe I am dreaming ! But with God all things are possible !

I just found out today that I am being laid off from my job, another answer to prayer about staying home to adopt !!

Blessings to you, and please share any new info you get about adoption...I need all the help I can get !

Mary

[stella]

Mary, I think that might be the first time I've heard someone refer to their job loss being an answer to prayer... and actually be excited about it! Tee hee!

Stella

[amom4life]

Originally posted by dd0031
Hi Judy,
The agency you used, when you said there were "some" toddlers, were you referring to interstate or within your own state? Do they have a website?

Danielle,
We are working with a facilitator called Lifetime Adoptions and yes they do have a web site. The birthmothers they work with are all over the United States.
Judy

[amom4life]

Originally posted by MaryT63

Although an older child (pre teen) would fit well into our lifestyles, my heart aches for a little one.....a baby. What are my chances ? I am open to bi-racial or either sex of an infant. If toddlers are scarce, I can't imagine how rare a newborn is.

Hi Mary,
If you plan to go through the state it is rare to be able to adopt an infant. You would more than likely be matched with an older child.

If you go through an agency or facilitator you will have no problem being matched with an infant. This does cost a lot more than going through the state, but you can get $10,000.00 back through taxes.

I know how you feel about having a baby!
Judy

[MaryT63]

Although I have this "fantasy" of having a wee baby to love, I realize also that an older child fits in much better with our lifestyle and our 12 year old son. The vacations we take, what we like to do are all conducive to an older child.

I guess I am a little scared of getting a child that we can't handle. I know we have the ability to provide love and stability, but I can't imagine what I would do if I had a teenager LIKE I WAS !!!!

I was a terror on two feet, and I don't know if I could handle that....I know that fear is not of the Lord, but I also want to be wise. Any suggestions ? Also - what about this Reactive Attachment Disorder.....do kids truly come out of it ?

Thanks,

Mary P.S. Yep, Stella I am GLAD to be getting laid off.....a lot less stress (thank God for unemployment and Severance Pkgs!)