[~amy~]

If they did, how did it go? Did they go for the visit or pick-up or both?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[LeslieinGA]

My mom and 8 year old daughter went for the visit trip in January and then my mom went with me again for the pickup trip. I found in my Russian adoption 6 years ago and this one that an extra pair of hands and eyes to watch the kids is invaluable.

Leslie

[Bassette]

My husband went with me on the first trip. My daughter, then 16, joined me for a few days on the second trip and I travelled alone for the Gotcha Trip. It would have been nice to have someone with me on the Gotcha trip to help me get through the airports with baby but ultimately I did just fine all by my lonesome.

[Teri33]

My mom went with me on the visit and the pick-up trip. It was great having her there to help out, and also for her because she loved the extra bonding time with my daughter and myself.

[annaguat]

I brought one of my teens along on a visit trip. It was very nice and I would do it again if it weren't for the cost. It is very helpful to have extra hands around. Anna

[becky]

My 13 year old went with me on the pick up trip...it was awesome...she was a great help with the baby and now she and her sis have a very special bond!

[Slatond10]

My Father went with me on the visit trip and then my Mother went with me for the "gotcha trip." I highly recommend having someone with you for "gotcha trip" if at all possible. Return travel with an extra seat for child or go first class if possible too. We did coach with lap seat for Sabrina and although she was an angel it made for an uncomfortable trip. I did not have room for the meal that was served or to retrieve diaper bag when it was time for changing.

[tinaedmond]

We visited four times, thanks to the slowdowns of the Hague. The first two times, my mom went with us. She was invaluable, as we were first time parents and we had really no clue what we were doing! It was great having here there when we weren't quite sure what to do, and I loved sharing those visits with both her and my dh. On our third trip, which happened to be for her first birthday, dh's father and wife came along. Visit 4 was just us, and pickup was just us.

Tina

[DPline]

My husband and older son visited with me twice and my Mom visited with me once, and also picked up Lauren with me and picked up Daniel with my husband. I have to agree with the others. While you can definetly pick up alone, it sure does help to have some extra hands!

[Smylinatya]

My husband and I were lucky enough to bring 1 parent from each side. My mother in law and my father came with us. It was PERFECT! My mother-in-law is a Nurse Practioner and worked in the labor and delivery dept. So she was a WEALTH of information to us 'virgin' parents. My father was there for support and to share in the excitement of it all. He also really helped out with the airport and getting our luggage together while we went through customs and things like that. Could we have done it without them? Sure. Would we have wanted to? NO WAY! It was a really great experience for all of us.

Good luck!
Jenn

[lsk]

On the first visit trip there was my husband, my mom, and my mother-in-law, and me!
On the second visit trip there my mom & dad, grandma & grandpa, and me!
We're planning to go back for a third visit in Jan or Feb, and I'm not sure who will be coming. For sure my husband and myself.
I am so glad that we have gone to visit our daughter, but it is so expensive...especially with 3 visits and a pick up trip. The problem I have now is that I just can't stay away!

[Bexter]

My mom went with me on our visit trip. She has told me several times it was the thrill of a lifetime. My dad's health did not permit him to travel, and he was jealous that Mom got to see the baby first.

My best friend went on the pickup trip. I wanted someone younger who could schlep alot of luggage through the airports. And as it turned out, Mom ended up having surgery the week before, so she couldn't go anyway.

[smr67]

My husband and my 4 1/2 year old son went with me on the visit trip. It was an awesome bonding time for all of us, but especially for the big brother. If there are older siblings, I recommend taking them to visit if at all possible.

Suzanne

[pgalupo]

On my visit trip 7 of us went: me, my daughter (13), my mom, brother-in-law, niece (age 11), 2 family friends (one adult, one 17). There were 7 of us in all. Our visit trip was a week long, so I arranged for the group to go on two tours (one of Guatemala City, one of Antigua).

The attorney, foster mother, and social worker (I got to go to the social worker interview) all couldn't believe that "so many people came just to see the baby" but we had a great time. I wanted the kids in the group to really get a chance to experience the country -- they all did special reports/assignments for school related to the country/culture. It was also a really healing time for our family as my sister just passed -- her husband and daughter went on the trip -- and already have a special relationship to Maya. I know the whole group will look back on the trip as a special time we had together -- to meet Maya, experience the country, and have an almost mini-vacation.

My pick-up trip will likely be quicker -- and I will take only my mom and dad.

The next child I adopt from Guatemala I plan to do the same thing -- many of my family/friends want the chance to travel with us for the visit trip -- it's a great way, I feel, to build a sense of community and family.

Good luck!

[momofmng]

I am a single mom, so on my visit trip in July, I took my mother and my two kids, ages 13 and almost 11. It was great to have them there and we spent a week bonding with then 10 week old Sophia. Lots of baby time competition however.

On the pickup trip, it ended up being a whirlwind of a trip (10 hours notice of my Embassy appt) and my mom was supposed to travel with me. She happened to be on vacation in Maine, so at the last minute, it ended up being me and my two older children. I am so happy that it ended up this way as we were all together as a forever family for the first time. God works in mysterious ways and I am so happy he had this worked out for us. (And yes... we arrived in Guatemala with discounted tickets within 10 hours of booking them... thank goodness for Trent).

Visiting our children's birthcountry is the most wonderful adventure and I cannot wait to go back someday with Sophia in tow to see more of it.

Sarah