[KarynB]

Hi all,

I would like everybody's opinion on this. My husband and I may have an opportunity to move to South Africa and have come up with a list of pros and cons (some related to our boys and some not). But before I share, I would love to know your opinion on this!

If you have adopted internationally, would you ever move (temporarily - 2 years) to your child's birth country? Why or why not? What issues would it arise for the child? Do you see it as something that is mostly positive or might be negative for them in terms of identity, etc?

Can't wait to see what you guys think...

karyn

[Sheriv]

Most definitely!!!! We internationally adopted from Brazil as we were already living there. It was ideal I think for the transition and it has helped our family cement the connection with Brazil. We speak portugese, we eat brazilian food, we speak of the fact that our family while American has a distinct and unique connection w/Brazil.

Now you should understand that my DH is first Generation Dutch, I am AA, my daughter was born in Egypt, our oldest was born in Cameroon and we have two "adopted sons" from Brazil.

I think it will help the kids understand their unique family structure and embrace it.

Good luck!

[entropy]

When we first brought her home, I would have given my left foot to be able to live in Colombia. I love the country, I speak Spanish, etc.
We've been home now for over two years. Last year, I looked really hard to find a bilingual preschool to put her in. And she went to pieces, she wouldn't go to bed. she as very clingy, etc. it was a much more difficult transition than just regular preschool had been. we took her out after 2 weeks. eventually when enrolled back at the first preschool she calmed down. my husband and i wondered if she thought we were going to leave her.... I speak spanish with her quite often, but she really reacted negatively to being placed in a spanish speaking eviornment without Mamí.
Now, she's nearly 4 years old has a very close friend at school and seems connected to her enviornment here. I would hate to pull her from it.

that said, she's very interested in Colombia and tells us that she wants to go visit. we plan taking her to visit in about 2 years.
During the adoption process we actually spent two months in Colombia and got the know her birth city very well. its a very lovely place.
if we honestly had a very real way to live there. I would still consider it, but i'm not as adamant about it as I used to be.