[jbmom06]

I am new here and just starting out in this whole process. DH and I have two beautiful bio girls, ages 3 yrs and 1 yr. We are looking to possibly adopt a boy, preferably 1.5-3 yrs old (I really want my oldest daughter to remain the oldest though). I am wondering though, really how likely is it for us to be able to be matched with a healthy caucasian, hispanic, or asian boy this young? We are willing to accept and handle minor medical issues, especially correctable ones, but DH and I don't think we can handle any major developmental or physical issues. We also know we are not able to handle foster kids coming and going, so we will strictly be waiting for one that is able to be adopted. What are our chances and approximately how long might it take? We are willing to wait a year or so for the right match.

Also, we are going to an orientation with Hillsborough Kids soon, does anybody know if we will be able to get these types of questions answered that night? What other things should we be thinking about asking that night? DH and I are trying to make a list but I am so afraid we will forget some really important questions.

[hunterfamily]

Unfortunatly there is no easy answer to the question of how long it will take to adopt. It could be a year or longer or the right child could come along right away. It sounds like you know what you can handle and what you want. You will not be out anything if you do the homestudy and then wait and see what happens. I work in the foster care system and we do have children that are under the age of 3 come along once in a while. However due to the length of time parents are given to get children back and the slow moving system, most children are much older or have other sibilings. I recently had 2 caucasian girls ages 3 and 1 with no health problems adopted by a wonderful family. The family had waited a little over a year.

Ask HKI if you can use your homestudy to adopt from other counties. Some agencies will not allow you to adopt out of county with their home study. There are several agencies that work with HKI so start looking into the different agencies and talk to others that have used the agency. You will also get a lot of information when you take the MAPP classes.