[vadopting]

I'm arriving on saturday and my agency just informed me that babies are not delivered on weekends.

Who made that knuckle headed rule anyhow??

[Amykk]

what a bummer - our agency does the same thing. It is so they don't have to work on the weekend, which I do understand, but it is tough to be down there and not be able to see your baby. Try to plan something fun for Sunday like a shopping trip or tour of Antigua to pass the time. We went on a Sunday and spent a lot of time just walking around the area by the Westin and even went to the casino for awhile.

[earthmama17]

That really stinks that your agency does that. I'm also travelling this Saturday and was told that attorney would deliver baby Saturday evening. Now, I'm worried that he thinks I'm arriving tomorrow? Yikes...

Maybe I will see you there. I'm staying at the Westin.

[SkippyRCIS]

That does not sound fair. They are working for you. We arrived on Saturday for all three of our trips to Guatemala they always came soon after we got there. At least you can take the time to site see. We did not have the oportunity to check out the area or go to the market.

[Bassette]

Not all agencies have that policy and you might inform them that you know that! Perhaps it will afford you an *exception* since gee willickers you weren't informed when you made your plans. I do hope it all works out for you. >>>HUG<<<

[Maggie Beth]

Our son (1st adoption) was brought to us on a Saturday evening... our daughter (2nd adoption) was brought to us bright and early on Sunday morning. I can't imagine why they won't bring you the baby on the weekend.

[GabrielsDad]

Haven't ever heard of that before. That really stinks. Our agency had no such restrictions.

[rosenfeldwest]

How about offering to pay cab fare for the foster mom and/or attorney? Maybe even offer to buy them breakfast or lunch

Rita

[avoel]

I agree that it is disappointing, especially if you were not told of that policy ahead of time. However, I also think in terms of the other people involved...the foster family, attorney and translator. I do believe that the majority of attorneys and translators do work hard all week and are deserving of having their weekends off. And the fosterfamilies most certainly do us a tremendous service so expecting them to give up their weekend plans (my daughter's foster mom was very involved in her church for example and always took my baby and told me her entire church community had prayed for us to be together as a family soon) is asking a bit much...especially since some do travel quite a distance and buses/taxis may not be as readily available on the weekends. I know waiting even one more day seems like a lifetime but you will be giving the foster family the gift of one more day with your child. You can take the opportunity to explore and shop and be well rested when your baby does arrive. I can assure you that once that baby is in your arms, the exact timing won't really matter anymore...all you will see is forever.

[DianaPrince]

What? That is just ridiculous! MANY families arrive and/or depart on weekends. I can't imagine how an agency could justify such a policy.

I guess that's another question one should put on the list when choosing an agency, but I am SO sorry this is happening to you.

Valerie

[adoptingdoc]

wow, you have great timelines...what agency are you with?

[jnancynancy]

We have the same deal....but we were told so we could plan our travel. That stinks!

I do understand the bases for it though. They need time off too...

[becky]

Actually many agencies have that rule. The attorneys, foster mothers, and foster mother supervisors all have families and lives and the weekends are often the only time they have to spend with their families.

A lot of my families visit from Friday-Monday...they have a nice long weekend and they do not miss much work.

Of course, the agency should have told you of this rule when you were making your travel plans...not after you were there!!

[smr67]

Our agency has the policy of only visiting with babies on weekdays, and they have this clearly stated in their travel packet. This is for the family's and the baby's protection. If the baby gets sick or there is some other issue, then our agency facilitator and/or our attorney is available to assist as well as a doctor being easily available. If we have the baby on the weekend then help is not readily available.

Think about it-- Would you like to be told to be available for your job seven days a week or do you like having weekends off?

While I may not like this "rule" my agency has done a good job in communicating this to us and I understand their position.

[brink]

Thanks for a couple of gentle reminders that this is NOT all just about us. Sorry to hear you made your plans and your agency did not tell you about this. But two more days in the grand scheme of things will fade in the reality of finally being allowed to hold and parent this other mother's child. When we really stop to think about what a miracle it is that we can become the parent's of another family's child, it should cause all our issues of "inconvenience" to fade rather quickly, I would hope for all of us, when we get frustrated with how long this process sometimes takes. As someone noted, your timelines are quite remarkable. May not seem like it for you, but the reality of it is...they are. I don't know what you have gone thru in the past or as you have waited, but I do know that when you do finally meet this precious babe you can forever call your own, these things will fade. I hope you can enjoy some time exploring the beautiful country of Guatemala, though there is sadness there as many have lost their lives or what little they possessed to begin with from recent mudslides as a result of Hurricane Stan. Hope the sun is shining once again in the Land of the Eternal Spring, and that help is being offered to those in so much grief.
Maybe not so gentle reminder to others besides yourself who think this weekend rule "stinks". Yes, these people ARE working for us... doing us the BIGGEST favor we will probably ever have done for us. We could not do this without all those involved.

My frustration is not at you, but at some of the responses people sometimes give. I'm sure I frustrate people with my honesty.