[smmars]

Hi Friends,
Well, dh is actually getting on board with my wanting to adopt a little girl from China. We would want to travel about the time Matty turns 3, so we would start the process in about a year and a half from now. He still needs to recover from the Guatemala rollercoaster.

I am looking for anyone who has done Guatemala and China. I know that they are VERY different processes. I think that doing Guatemala first was a good decision though. Since the China process seems (from my limited knowedge) to be a much more predictable one as far as timelines, etc. It just seems very structured from the dossier requirements all the way to how you are given the child on gotcha day.

Anyway, I guess I am just looking for people who know about both processes to share their experiences.

Thanks!

[Newsie]

We're thinking about China next too...

I think the wait time for China varies from year to year. Last summer I think the wait for China was about a year...and just a few months ago someone from the "China board" said the wait was down to 6 months. But it might go longer again by next year ... who knows?

The thing about China though is the agency can give you a more definite timeframe for travel once you send your dossier. They may say "you'll travel in about 8 or 9 months" so you can actually plan around it...kwim? You don't receive your referral though until about a month before you travel for your pick up. The babies ages will range between 6 - 12 months.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on any of the above...it's been a while since I looked into the China program.

[mattecook]

Stacey,

Wow that is great!! Are you planning on using the same agency??

Ami

[Smylinatya]

Things are very different with China. Newsie is right. You actually do almost all of your paperwork up front and get your referral later on. China celebrates adoption and from what I've been told, there is pretty much 1 place where families stay and you take your child and go on a tour of some landmarks. We have thought about China as well but what stops us is the time in country. Getting that kind of time off for DH is next to impossible and if I were to take my vacation time to go over I'd have almost nothing left to use when I got back.

Good luck!
Jenn

[lmvsmom]

I think I was reading on the China forum the other day about some agencies requiring adoptive parents to be off work for a certain amount of time. One poster said she had to take 1 year (!!!!) and another said 6 mos, another 12 weeks, etc. I have never heard of any Guat. adoptions having any such requirement, though. Sorry to jump into this thread. I didn't really answer your question.

[smmars]

Newsie-Oh it is so nice to hear that others are considering this too.

Amy-NO! Not going to use the same agency. We are thinking about Christian World Adoption. They seem to be more my speed than you know who.

lmvsmom- I know that the trip is usually 10 to 14 days. I don't know about taking time off afterwards though. But, I am a sahm so that really doesn't matter anyway.

Jen- Those pesky jobs, huh? We are lucky in that dh works with his family's business in financial planning. So, days off won't be a big problem thankfully. (Although, working with family creates a whole bunch of other wonderful problems! )

[mattecook]

Stacey,

Good to know!!!! I am excited for you and your family

Ami

[Momof2boysinOH]

Stacey,

Feel free to post questions on the China board. Everyone has been really helpful there. Congratulations on your decision!

Mucha Suerte,

Mary
Mommy to 2 bio sons:
Julian (b. 4/1/03)
Christian (b. 12/6/04)
Waiting to turn 30 to adopt from China!

[lisam00]

I'm already thinking about looking into China and we don't even have our little Guatemalan princess home yet. I'm really struggling with the unpredictability of the Guatemala process right now so I'll definitely be looking for something with a bit more predictability next time. I'm sure we won't start anything for quite a while but it's always a good idea to start learning.

God bless,
Lisa

[csw]

We are going back and forth between domestic bi-racial/multi-racial, China and Guatemala..since I have 2 kids from Central/South America I wonder if it would be better to keep the same ethnicity or not..guess it doesn't matter too much.

. We found a domestic program with a fairly short wait (6-12 months) and very reasonable fee's..they also have good adoption laws in that particular state..but..I have always wanted to go to China (hopefully I won't see any animals in small cages..that would upset me) but after being to Guat 4x I certainly have a little of my heart still there!

Decisions, Decisions..

[Mimi Morris]

Hi,
We will probably do our homestudy in August/September. Carly will be three in January. We have gone back and forth as we certainly have a lot of love for the country of Guatemala. I fostered there for 3+ months and visited several times before that. I think it would be better for me emotionally to have my dossier approved early in the process and my referral later in the process. I worry a little bit about bonding, especially since I think there is a 50% chance that my husband would have to do the pickup trip without me. Just have to see how time and money are when and if the time comes...
Good luck and congratulations on your decision,
Mimi

[Momof2boysinOH]

Mimi--I know what you mean about not being able to travel & bond. My dh plans to travel alone to China so I can stay home with our 2 sons. It's hard to imagine not being there for the pickup of our daughter, but I know our boys wouldn't be able to stand the long flight and I don't want to leave them for 2 weeks. We may be starting our adoption at the same time as you! Our agency tells us that we can start 6 months before the younger spouse turns 30 so that would be August 29th. Your daughter is around the same age as my older son. Have you picked an agency yet? I'm Hispanic so of course I was interested in adopting from Guatemala (still am, if we ever win the lottery! ). I read so much about China and the socio-political reasons that infant girls are abandoned there and I felt very strongly that I was destined to adopt one of those baby girls.


Mary
Mommy to 2 bio sons:
Julian (b. 4/1/03)
Christian (b. 12/6/04)
Waiting for the big 3-0 to adopt from China!

[ExcitedMomtoBe]

My husband and I are also very interested in China but it'll probably be kid number 3 for both of us to meet the age requirements. We've actually been thinking about Ethiopia next time. The programs are getting more numerous, the children are beautiful, you get them very young (less than 6 mos), the travel's not bad (like about 10 days) and best of all, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than Guatemala!!! Haha.

[sak9645]

China does not have any requirement with regard to the Mom or Dad taking off any time from work after returning home.

Some agencies may, regardless of the country you choose. So if you are not going to be able to take off time, you should ask about this issue before signing up with a homestudy or placement agency.

While the China trip is short as adoption trips go (10 days to 2 weeks), it is usually very pleasant, especially because you travel with other families. I strongly encourage both parents to travel, but do be aware that China DOES allow the trip to be done by one spouse, if both cannot travel -- for example, if there is a young child at home.

Sharon

[BEBE]

We have thought about China too. My best friend adopted from there in 2001. The only thing that holds me back from China is the long in country time. I would hate to leave my other kids for that long. BUt who knows I may take the plunge one day.

That being said, I can recommend an excellent agency for Chinese adoptions. My best friend used them and I know of 6 couples in our hometown (we live in a small town down South) that have used them and they all give glowing reports on this agency.

Please feel free to PM me about this agency. Also, my friends Chinese adoption cost about $11,000.00 less than my Guatemalan one. I think that may be one reason China is so popular with some of my friends. We might could swing the $$$$$$$$ for China, don't know that I will ever be able to afford Guatemala again. But I do love those Guat Tots!!!

Good luck on your adoption journey!!