[clazarc1]

Hi everyone. I am in the process of adopting a beautiful boy. He is now 6 month and like a lot of you, I am stuck in PGN. I have been there since August 9th We were hoping to have had our son home and starting on a second adoption by Dec. I couldn't believe yesterday was Dec. 1!!! I fell in love with a baby girl but after speaking with my husband our finances are just not there right now. Does anyone have suggestions on how we can adopt another child? I really would like to add several children to our family but I can not figure out financially how. My husband started a business this passed year so we have exhausted our home equity. Any other ideas?

Thanks.



Time Line:
12/15/03-spoke w/attorney
2/25/04-Completed Home Study
4/13-signed w/agency
5/11-Andres Thomas was born
5/13-accepted referral
6/17-rec’d. BCIS Clearance
6/22-Dossier Completed
6/23-DNA test done
6/28-Dossier entered family court
7/29-rec’d. pre-visa approval
8/19-entered PGN
10/28-K/O PGN
11/5-re-enter PGN

[PattyR]

I don't know that I have any words of wisdom, but wanted to say that I am right there with you! I started the adoption process in 2003 and thought I would have had a child home months ago and be ready for the second. I actually have the opportunity to adopt a second child right now. I can come up with the money, but only by depleting any savings and retirement funds I have. I have already accumulated debt for the adoption of my daughter and I just don't feel comfortable going into more debt. However, then the sweet eyes and face of the little boy available to me right now keep popping up in my mind and I think----how can I say no??? Then my brain kicks in and says, financially you really shouldn't do this at this time.

I would also love to hear any ideas. I make a modest, but adequate income it's just the huge expense of all the fees and travel. If I don't end up adopting this little boy now, I will probably look at other countires that are cheaper for the second (and maybe even 3rd someday). I have been reading information about Haiti and it seems like a good possibility. Another possibility for people open to adopting older children is to adopt from the foster care system.

Any other ideas???
Patty

[brandydawn]

My personal opinion would be to wait until you are financially stable again after the first adoption before you begin the second.

I stressed out in the beginning trying to figure out how to pay for this and know that I will too be in debt for some time afterward.

Something to think about....will adopting a second child now put you in a financial place where you can comfortably support your family? I am not talking about just shelter and food....I personally want to give my daughter things that weren't available to me...vacations, going to the theater, lessons in some activity she would enjoy... I want her to not have to worry about how college or her wedding will be paid for when she is older.

I think about the possibility of a second child, however I imagine this happending a couple years after she is home.

I know you were looking for ideas on how to finance a possible second adoption, I just wanted to play devil's advocate to ensure this is really something you can do without puttnig to much stress on yourself and your finances.

Regards,
Brandy

[bobwhite]

You probably should speak to your accountant or tax preparer regarding using the tax credit. For instance you can change the dependents you claim on your check to have less taxes taken out. Some employers offer flex pay, for certain things.