[sjordan]

Hello everyone.

We adopted our sweet son 2 years ago. We want to adopt again from Guatemala. If you were me... would you start the paper chase now or wait until after everything shakes out with the Hague tready? As I see it, starting now is risky... but, who knows, if we wait much longer we could totally miss the opportunity to bring another sweet pumpkin into our family. Any advise would be appreciated!!!

Thanks!

And to all of you going through the process... you are in my prayers!

[beverlyanderic]

i would start again only if 2 things happen-

1. i get the dossier completed and sent asap (by November)

2. if the country closes to adoption (not just delays, but closes), i would get 85% of my money back.

i look at it this way- it's probably going to get quite volatile early 2008, but what's stopping it to get even more volatile in spring 2008 or summer or fall. if one keeps waiting, the wait can be 5 years because it's not exactly the perfect situation.

i'm now trying to down play the hague thing, but you gotta do what you gotta do. as long as you know it may be a very bumpy ride- it's all about expectations and attitude.

good luck with you decision!
eric

[BCSTRACK]

I think if you start the process now, you can probably expect some delays for sure. I think that even though we accepted the referral of our Baby girl in March, things are definitely taking longer due to the building up of the Hague implementation. Now there is the 2nd DNA and who knows what else they may require before implementation takes place. They're even saying that things may completely stop some time at the first of next year. I would check with the agency that you plan on using and read the warnings posted on Guatadopt.com. Some agencies aren't even taking new applications right now. I personally think it would be very risky right now. Good luck and keep us posted!

Belinda

[WVUMom418]

I can honestly say that being in the process again has been much harder than it was the first time in 2005 and I can't see it getting any easier. I love Angie and wouldn't give her up but if I knew back in February that things were going to be like they are right now I probably wouldn't have started the process again.

With the raid on CQ, the unrest due to the elections and all the other issues going on down there, I worry every day if I'll ever see my little girl again. Even after losing my first referral in 2005 I never felt this way during Mia's adoption. It's a very unsettling feeling.

[Kansas-Family]

this is a tough one. We received our referral in July...good agency and good home, but there are just delays that occur. I foresee even more delays ahead.

I wish we would have started the process sooner. Last I knew, our agency is going to stop offering referrals the beginning of Nov. Some agencies have already stopped.

With all this said, we have submitted a 2nd dossier!!! (Yes! We are that crazy !) We know we want more than one child and would like for them to share the same culture/heritage. We fear the future of adoptions in Guat. So we are going to try/risk this again!!!

We will be very careful if/when accepting a 2nd referral....and I don't want to wait much past the end of Sept (just personally) for one.

Hope this helps.

[elisalou]

We just started- I know it's risky but the unknown of what may happen after next year seems even worse- because it could stop all together. I would hate to not have given it a shot. I am prepared for anything at this point, a long wait, a bumpy road, or possibly no baby at the end. I guess it's just a risk I am willing to take.

Good luck

Elisa

[annaguat]

I would not start and either wait it out and see or adopt from Vietnam. Actually we tried this with Vietnam and Guatemala was our back up. All in all three times we were destined for Vietnam and twice we adopted from Guatemala instead(4 children total) and once we adopted domestically instead. We were not destined to adopt from Vietnam while a friend wanted to adopt from Guatemala and ended up twice adopting from Vietnam. Now go figure that one. I guess wherever your child is that is where I would go. Best wishes upon your journey. If you have money and can stand to loose it I might try still for Guatemala if it is important to adopt from there specifically. Hugs, Anna

[stephjoel99]

We would wait. :-(

[Waiting4Celeste]

Personally, I wouldn't start the process right now... but I am not much of a risk taker and I am not very patient!

Here are some things you need to consider:

1 - If Guatemala closes PRE-referral, then what happens to all of the fees you have paid? Can you transfer them to another program? Is your heart set on Guatemala and if you can't adopt from Guatemala, would you choose to not adopt at all?

2 - If it closes POST-referral, what are the possiblities?
*Delays? Are you emotionally ready to handle a long wait - what if it takes years?
*Loss of referral? If it is a loss of referral, how would you deal with that?

3 - If Guatemala doesn't close, but the process takes a lonnnnng time, are you OK with waiting? Are there fees that would possibly increase (and possibly without much of a warning, with some agencies) mid-process? ex: foster fees, attorney fees, etc. Can you afford that?

I am sure there are many more things to consider, but the biggies are emotional and financial.

I just don't think I am strong enough to jump in with all the unknowns... maybe you are!

Blessings to you as you make this tough decision!!!

[Larue]

Personally I would wait. Or look at other options. But then I'm pretty "risk adverse" because of what we went through with Sabrina's adoption. We're exploring other countries for our next adoption.

Best wishes with your decision!

[beejay]

We are waiting!! I started the paperwork and was scheduled for our HS, but decided to wait it out. I am a firm believer that 'EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON' therefore I am suppose to wait.

My nerves can't take to uncertainty of everthing. )

[LJR1974]

I would wait. There's so much unrest... who knows what 2008 will bring. Too risky for me.

[Gatos]

I would wait until January and see what happens with The Hague.

[Shoshana]

If Guatemalan adoptions were in turmoil for a reason other than the charges of impropriety, corruption, coercion, baby selling, etc., then I might choose to proceed. I've read the US DOT warning to adoptive parents -- even if I believe it is overstated (which I do not), I don't know how I would be able to explain beginning the process now. I need to be able to explain to my child that I had total faith in the ethics of his/her adoption. I couldn't do that in this environment. Fifteen years down the road, I don't think it will matter much to say "but I chose the best agency and the best attorney." Instead, it seems like it would be difficult to explain why I chose to proceed even though charges of widespread corruption were the hot topic of the day.

These allegations are going to be remembered, discussed, documented -- in the near and distant future. Remember, people are still discussing the coercion and fraud that occurred during the Baby Scoop Era (when I was born). These allegations are tainting all of the adoptions that have occurred and that are occurring in Guatemala. I believe that this will introduce an additional level of confusion and difficulty for our kids as they explore their history, their identity, and their place in the world and our families.

[tsozio]

I would say if you can be paper ready very quickly (like by Ocotober) then I would say go for it! Otherwise, I would hold off or perhaps look into a different country. Just my opionion! Good luck!