[jules17]

I am usually not one for tears, but I am past the limit today. Mind if I rant for a moment?

Okay, let me start by saying (like everyone!) have been absolutely dying to hold my child - DYING.

We got special permission to go on a weekend (Labor Day weekend). My husband got off that weekend by the skin of his teeth. I am in the process of getting my work covered.

I don't *feel* like our agency wants us to go?? I could be wrong about that, but it hasn't seemed like they are encouraging about it. After I mentioned our plans, she said they have just instituted a $200 visit fee. Fine - has anyone else had this?? I think logically that they are just super-busy and it has nothing to do with us personally.

I offered for DH and I to do anything that would make the process smoother - I don't know what that could be, but maybe someone has a suggestion?

I am just so teary today and feel so close, but yet so far away...

Thanks, Julie

[Stacytoadoopt]

No suggestions, but hope you have a wonderful visit.

[gnattylove]

My husband and I did not have to pay a fee to our adoption agency but we did have to pay our interpretor, she works for our attorney, $300. This was all arranged by our agency. You might want to ask them what this money is for. Don't worry that they are "busy" you are paying them to help you with your adoption. Try not to worry.

[jules17]

Thanks - I guess it is just hard "feeling like a pain" on top of all of the emotions of seeing our son!

Does anyone know how much/what time of work is involved on their end for us to visit? I am really trying to think of it from their point of view, not just ours!

[Waiting4Celeste]

WHAT?!?!?!
How in the world can they charge you to visit? Not logistically speaking, but morally - how could they profit from you visiting your child?? That just seems SICK to me!!

Is it stated anywhere in your contract that if you visit they will charge this fee? If they plan to make you pay that $200, they'd better have it in writing.

I swear, some agencies MAKE ME SICK!!!!!!!!!! They try to turn a profit where ever they can. geez...

If they claim it is for translation...there are PLENTY of other translators in GC who won't charge you that much.

[Tiggysgirl]

Awww {hugs} I can only imagine how you're feeling. But I do know about feeling like a pain. But, the other people are right. You're paying them for a service and at the very least they should be telling you what the money is for. I'd think there would be some sort of payment for the cab for the FM and I'm not quite sure what the translator is for.

I can't really help, but I'm betting you'll forget it all when you're holding your little one!!

Amy

[MicheleB]

Are they giving you a service for this fee? For example, are they making your travel arrangments, or giving you a translator, or are they using this money for foster mother transportation, etc... If not, I am not sure how they can charge you this.

[jules17]

Cindy and Michele, I PM'd you.

Thanks, guys!

I guess I thought they would be happy that we are going, but maybe it is a lot of work for them? I don't know!

[KKR213]

I didn't have to pay the agency for the visit trip either. As for what it entails to get your child to you, it would basically be dressing him and getting him to the hotel. Maybe bring some diapers and bottles and possibly transportation for the foster mother. The attorney and her husband dropped my son off on my visit and she didn't speak English, he spoke some and I don't speak Spanish and we did ok. I would look at your contract too.

But on the flip side, no matter what the charge is for you will pay it to see your son.

Don't worry about taking up their time. They are working for you and for them it is a job. They are not as emotionally invested as you are so they may not seem excited. Don't let it dampen your excitement.

[AngelQT]

OH MY GOODNESS>>> I have never heard of anything like that... It all comes with the fee we already paid to the agency.

I do have the phone number to the person that did the translating for us on our visit. PM me if you want it. She might be willing to do it MUCH CHEAPER!

Best of Luck!

[MNStarr]

Ugh. We did have some fees associated with visiting but all of them were clearly explained and given to us before hand. We had a translator fee which was I think $150 at the most and that included the translator being there when the baby was brought and going over her schedule, also translator came with to the grocery store, and basically she checked in with us once a day. Also we had transportation fee which included pick up from airport, trips to market, grocery store, and whatever else we needed. So definetly worth it to me. If your agency is just planning on youpaying $200 for nothing that is rediculous. See if there is anything in wiriting, remember you are paying them to help you.

[Larue]

Greetings Julie -- We did not have to pay a fee to our Agency for our visit trip. And our Agency was more than happy to make arrangements with the coordinator, translator and Foster Mother.

We brought Sabrina's Foster Mother gifts, and tipped our wonderful translator, who also accompanied us and the Foster Mother to an appointment with Dr. Montiel our second day. We also paid him to take us on a tour to Antigua the last day of our trip.

Not sure I understand the fee, unless it is to compensate the translator. Suggest checking with your Agency.

Good luck!

[kerrib]

I was told that the translator fee would be $200 for the pick-up trip. this includes her taking us to the hogar to pick up my daughter and then picking up our visa for us. apparently this fee just went up. I am to pay the translator directly, however, not my agency. I paid her $140 for my visit trip - $50 for each time she picked me up and $40 for gas.

[mommy4carson]

We did not have to pay a visit fee, but I know how you feel with the agency. Our agency also tried hard to discourage us from our first visit, they made my husband and I both come in for a "meeting" and told us we were being too anxious and that we needed to just let things play out. The rep. told us "these things tend to take longer with the parents are not patient" which made me feel like they were threatening our case! (I found out later they typically do not tell their adoptive parents that visiting is an option, we only found out from these boards.)

We have taken it as an opportunity to educate them about the benefits of visiting and pointed out, this was time we would never get back with our son. They were considerably more open to our second trip, although they have never provided any assistance with making arrangements, etc.

I guess what I'm saying is, "Hang in there!" Some agencies seem to just now be coming to terms with the concept of visiting - hopefully you can show them what a great opportunity it really is!

[Katelyn's Mom]

Oh this is so sad. Praying for you!