[Me:-)]

My DH and I adopted our ldaugher of Kazak heritage from Astrakhan (on the Kazak border in Russia) about 2 years ago, and are now planning to adopt from Kazak. Our dossier is just about done . . . but I was seeking advice as to whether or not we should bring our little girl along. Any suggestions? Would she be able to go with us in the orphanage? The bigger question . . . how safe would it be?? She can also stay with my mother, but I would love to have her along. I'm just wondering if it really would be in her best interest. Any advice???

Thanks,

Leslie

[JuleQuin]

but I think it depends on your agency and their philosophy. If it is one that subscribes to "family bonding" and will support you, then just figure out if your child can handle the demands on travel.

Our daughter had the absolute worst problems with jetlag, picky eating, and jealousy!! The jealousy would have been there anyway, but probably with more intensity had we left her behind.

It wasn't easy, but we had an awesome translator who took care of her, and made sure we always felt safe

Hope this helps!

Julia
Mom to now 2

[hml1976]

We adopted our daughter from Kaz last year and are planning to return in early 2007. We are leaving our daughter with my parents. Its a hard decision but we decided to do this for a few reasons.

First off, while some babyhouses will let you bring your child with you, some don't and most are particular. A runny nose or cough and your child is not allowed in. We don't have anyone to watch our daughter while on our visits and I think she would be freaked out by a russian speaking babysitter (jmo).

Also, the medical care in Kaz scares me. I wouldn't want my daughter to get seriously ill while in country, I've been to the doctor in Kaz, it was scary.

Finally, I just think that our new child deserves the same separate bonding time we had with our daughter. I think it was such a valuable process for my husband and I as well as our daughter.

Hope that helps, I know that some people do successfully bring their child but for us it just isn't the right decision.

[skoi]

We're in the beginning stages of an adoption, gathering paperwork and haven't decided on a country yet. We have three children (12, 8, and 2), and are faced with this problem. This is the only thing holding us back from Kazakhstan.

That said, we did take our two older children to China when we adopted our daughter (now 2). I know there's a huge difference between the in country process in China and Kazakhstan, but in terms of travel, our kids did very well on the long flight, with the food, in the strange environment. They were also the first ones to bond with their new little sister. The biggest drawback was cramming all 5 of us into one room in Chinese hotels with their very narrow and short beds.

Our agency is encouraging of family travel. If we weren't worried about airfare cost for 5 round trip tickets, we wouldn't hesitate.

[Delmom]

We adopted our son 2 years ago from Kazakhstan and left our 7 yr old daughter with my parents. There are pros/cons either way.

Mostly, it depends on the region. We arrived to find a nice hotel (indoor pool, gym, etc.) and the whole second floor of the hotel had Americans who were adopting. Some brought their children and they were allowed to go to the orphanages. There also would have been plenty of "babysitters" if we needed one.

Now we are starting the process again and leaving our son would not be an option. He is very attached and it would be traumatic for him. It isn't like we could say we'll be back in 3 weeks and him understand us. He'll probably throw a few tantrums and completely embarass us. But I would rather be embarassed then risk the beautiful bond we have created.

So we are taking both kids. Our biggest concern is cost for the plane tickets. I think it is inevitable that he will be cranky. Hopefully, by next summer he will be more patient...he'll be three then after all.

[jtsmommy]

We are planing on taking our son along, it would be way to hard to leave him behind. We are expecting a full blown tantrum somewhere along the way, we will be the couple laughing as our kid throws himself down, screams, kicks & people are glaring & shaking their heads thinking "why don't they do something ". He is a very busy little guy so it will never be boring! I've already decided to NOT care what the other people are thinking as I won't see them again.

[skoi]

One question for people who taken kids already. Where do you find the babysitters? Our oldest will be 12, and legally here in America she can babysit, but in a strange environment where none of them speak the language definitely not. Of course if we could take them to the baby house/orphanage there wouldn't be a problem.


Thanks.
Julie