[juliemom23]

Hi there. This is kind of a spin off from another thread, but I don't understand why anyone would bash a photolisting. I am very new to the Guatemala realm, so I really have no clue.

I know when we were adopting from Russia, photolistings were bad because it was pretty much illeagal, so that I understood.

Is it that many people pick from a photolisting before they are paperwork ready, so the child has to wait a little longer? Does it have something to do with the agencies associated with the listings?

I am really not trying to pick a fight or anything, I would just like to understand.

Thanks so much!

Julie

[bamagirl]

Hi Julie -

I think you are probably referring to my note on my "changing paths" post. For us, it was really a concern about people bashing us for choosing a photolisted baby over the conventional way. TROLLS that like to come in and stir up trouble. I had posted prior to this about wanting a referral now because we really prefer this way and some people don't agree with that method. Some feel that you should start with an agency and go from there.

Anyway- there is nothing wrong with photolisting adoptions....I have one at home and one on the way!! Have a great week!

[becky]

The reason many people have an issue with photolistings is that some of the agencies that use them are not very reputable. Some families have fallen in love with a photo and then signed with an agency without doing their homework and have had an awful experience.

I am not saying that all agencies that use photolistings are bad, or that all families that have 'chosen' their children this way have had awful experiences...it's just that it has happened and therefore everyone tries to warn newbies that you had better research an agency before signing on with them or you could be in for a long difficult adoption experience.

[Mommy2twins]

We adopted two children (at the same time) from a photo listing agency before we really had any idea of the various issues that people raised about going this route.

You raise one point in that children may have to wait longer if the family isn't paper ready when they locate a child this way IF the agency accepts that they are not paper ready. I haven’t heard anyone say that they were turned away because they weren’t ready but suspect that some agency out there that does photo listing doesn’t permit this for the reason you state.

From my own experience, and I have heard it from others on this forum as well, one of the big issues is that people see the children on a photo listing agencies web site. They fall in love with the child and hire this agency without researching the ethics and practices of this agency. Then the agency turns out to be unethical, fraudulent, jerks, whatever else and the family is trapped; both emotionally and financially. In an ideal world, if we all researched our agencies first then the bad agencies, like mine unfortunately, would no longer exist. And that would leave roughly 4 agencies that do Guatemalan adoptions. They would be very, very busy.

I've heard some folks express concern that less attractive children may be denied homes if looks are the deciding factor and they are compared with a larger number of available children. I’m sure there is some truth to these concerns. I can think of one child on a photo listing that I knew as soon as he was posted he would sit available for a long time (and still is) and the reason, sadly enough, is that he was born on June 6, 2006 (6/6/2006). His name is Angel; which tells me that they knew when he was born what it would mean to for him to be orphaned.

As a whole, I don't think that choosing a child from a photo listing is universally wrong. There will always be issues with it but these children need homes too. Having been around IA for a little while now, I do believe that the risk is higher that you will run into a less than great agency if you go the photo listing route. I think that the less than great agencies use the children's pictures like marketing material to lure people in. My 2 cents.

[dspakowsky]

There are at least 3 or 4 REALLY BAD agencies that photo-list. That's why some people hate to hear about photo-listings - because they know that the terrible agency they used is still getting business by lying and tricking people.

[Alexismandyjr]

I found my son using a photo-listing. I was a newbie too. There are some agencies out there that have photo-listings and are reputable and move you along without any major hiccups. On the other hand, there are some agencies that don't utilize photo-listings and have major issues. I think it's the agency and their work ethic that makes the difference. Just because they opted to utilize a tool such as a photo-listing doesn't make them less reputable than those that choose not to. I recommend that any person that is starting out research the agency before committing to anything. The agencies work ethic is what should be scrutinized before making the final decision.

[CareBears82]

Originally Posted by Mommy2twins

I can think of one child on a photo listing that I knew as soon as he was posted he would sit available for a long time (and still is) and the reason, sadly enough, is that he was born on June 6, 2006 (6/6/2006). His name is Angel; which tells me that they knew when he was born what it would mean to for him to be orphaned.

I know exactally what little one you are talking about. I'm so inlove with him! But hubby has said no, for the fact he wants to wait to adopt (he wants to try for a bio child first, adopt, and then another bio child). Him and Edgar are the ones that I'd love to bring home.

[ez4me2remember]

[quote=Mommy2twins]I can think of one child on a photo listing that I knew as soon as he was posted he would sit available for a long time (and still is) and the reason, sadly enough, is that he was born on June 6, 2006 (6/6/2006). His name is Angel;

I am not following you on this. Are you saying he will sit because of the date (666)? Or because he isn't cute? The date never occured to me and I look at the photolistings every few days. I also think he is as cute as the other boys by this agency. I don't remember ANY boys being chosen from this agencies photolisting since he was listed. ALL of the boys are sitting.

[Tiggysgirl]

What always makes me wonder about photolistings is how they have so many children waiting, boys AND girls of all ages.

I know several people using a few agencies that I'm confident are reputable (from my research) and they've waited anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. It always makes me wonder how they can have so many waiting.

[auntiepippi]

I understand what you are saying about the 6/6/2006 birthdate, but I don't see why that should prevent anyone (especially someone with faith in God) from adopting the little boy. What about the thousands of other children born around the world on that day as well? It is just a date like any other... I am not trying to spin this thread in another direction, I just didn't like the implication about this innocent child. I pray he is adopted soon...

[wvamom]

My agency has photolistings of children with special needs. We found our son on their listing.
Carolyn

[Mariais5]

We picked our daughter from an agency that photolists.. Believe me, it wasn't because of her cuteness factor! LOL When we visited her at 2 1/2 months old, we thought they had brought us the wrong baby because she was beautiful!

As far as the time being longer, we accepted Bryce's referral before we had started on the first piece of paperwork.. We were paper ready when she was 2 1/2 months old ~ we visited around the time our dossier arrived in GC. Everything went smoothly, and Bryce came home at 6 1/2 months.. This time, we wanted to do it the 'right' way, so we waited until we were paper ready before accepting our referral. Well, Sofia is now 2 1/2 months old, and our attorney hasn't been able to get DNA authorization yet, so we are right back at the same age Bryce was when we became paper ready.

There are a lot of people who complain about the agency we used for both of our adoptions.. Bryce's process was a piece of cake, and we were very happy with our experience.. We are having some delays this time, but it's the attorney not being able to get the DNA.. That is frustrating to me but not much the agency can do about it at this point.. They won't allow me to go down and stand in line at the Embassy! ;-(

[PabloandCarlosMama]

As long as you do research on the agency with the photolisting, and make sure they are reputable, I don't think there's a problem. It's also important to get as much information on the child as possible.

I found my children photolisted on my agency's website. I knew there were a couple of agencies that I'd be comfortable working with, and just happened to check out a website, and there they were! At the time, I wasn't aware of the bigger photolisting sites. THis forum is a good source for information on agencies and attorneys. Good luck!

[juliemom23]

Thank you all for your responses. I think you cleared it up for me!!
Julie

[doghouse]

Photolistings give the impression that we rich Americans can shop for a baby.

It provides a vehicle for small agencies to advertize using the baby as bait.