[Ann07]

What are the risks for international adoption. We are thinking of going internationally (ethiopia) because we can not risk a failed placement finicially. What are the concerns out there?

[karla-k]

there are no guarantees in adoption, no matter what route you take. international adoption risks are more in the area of the health and history of the child being unknown, dealing with foreign governments (who do not think like Americans) and the uncertain timelines that exist.

We are adopting from Kyrgyzstan. We have endured many bumps along the way due to the growth of the adoption program: embassy closed to dossiers in March (it opened again a few weeks later), one of the regions is just not setting court dates (people have been waiting for months for a court date they were told would take weeks) increased costs due to the weakening US dollar. Overall though we are glad we chose the route we are on.

karla

[ksquilter72]

Because your concerns are financial at this point, I'll address those. The fees you pay to an agency at the beginning of the process should be transferable in the event that you would 'lose' a referral after you have been presented a child. Once you have paid the international adoption fee (which is usually the largest chunk of money due during the process), that may or may not be transferable.

It is rare for a family to lose a referral in international adoption but it has happened. Before you sign a contract with any agency, ask them what fees would transfer to a new referral in the case that something horrible would happen.

[Ann07]

Thank you for the responses. We are going to talk to our adoption worker hopefully next week. I will ask all those questions. THe adoption agency we work with doesn't do international adoptions they have partner agencies so we will have to be transfered.

What other bumps in the road can happen?

[JCNickmom]

We are at the very beginning of this journey, so I'm sure there are risks that we haven't even thought of. We were just about to start our foster to adopt classes when we found out about a little girl in Thailand.

One of the reasons we switched hears was b/c of the risks of having a child come into our home, getting attached, and then having to give that child up was hard for us to deal with.

I think that one of the biggests risks is health and development issue. I think about going to meet this child and her being "ours" from the start. I worry about the adjustment period, language barrier, and even the trip itself. (Flying over the Atlantic doesn't exactly thrill me). Then there's always the finances). There are risks with whatever you do regarding having children. Thee are guarantees, but the blessings are innumerable!

[KarynB]

There are also risks that a country can close to adoptions due to political situations or that your expected referral time can get delayed. I have a friend who was told 2-4 months for Vietnam, things kept changing and 18 months later they are still waiting.

If kids are in orphanages there is a big risk of developmental delays, attachment issues, health issues, and "orphanage behaviours" depending on the age/personality of the child.

Ethiopia has a very stable program and usually very reputable baby homes. I would ask the agency to see photos of the baby home, ask what the caregiver to baby ratio is, and how many of the workers are full time or if there are many volunteers who come and go. This can either help or hurt attachment so is important.

Sometimes travel can be delayed or stopped due to issues in country. Some programs you have to worry about unscrupulous people on both ends - the children don't always come to the orphanage under the best circumstances.

There are much bigger adjustment issues for the children themselves, as not only did they lose their birth family, but now have also lost their culture, country and EVERYTHING that is familiar to them. As a parent, you have to be prepared to bring that culture to them as best you can. Are their Ethiopian people, events, restaraunts etc in your neighbourhood or town? Are you willing to travel there in the future with your child? Do you have Ethiopian friends, or are you willing to find some? (-:

Most likely, they will never know their birth family - are you willing to deal with the issues that presents?

Hmm...that is all I can think of! Feel free to PM me any questions or ask them here...good luck on your journey!