[let]

I am just starting to consider adoption. I will wait a few years until I get established in a new career (I'm back in graduate school at 36, doing a career change). I would like to adopt from Russia. Assuming I'm still single when I am ready to adopt-- is it possible to do so, especially from Russia?

[skiboo]

More than possible, we have some single Moms on this forum at the current time! As long as you can financially support the child, then your marital status is not important.
What are you studying in graduate school? I went back for my Masters in Library and Information Science in my early 30's as well... it was a wonderful two years... I loved being a grad student!

[let]

I'm studying Speech-Language Pathology. This will be my 2nd Master's degree. My 1st is in Linguistics. I will finish in 2 years. SLP is definately the career I was meant for. I can't wait to finish school and get started.

I won't be adopting until I finish school in 2 years. Who knows, I may have met Mr. Right by then. I'm 36 though, so I'm not counting on it.

Thanks, again, for your reply.

[citymom]

Like Skiboo said, there are quite a few regular posters here on the board that are single Moms.

Since you are waiting a couple of years, my advice for you now is to read this forum. I learned more here about this journey then everything else (including my agency) put together.

Everyone here is so gracious for sharing everything and you will be an old pro by time you are ready.

Welcome to the Russia board

[Military Momma]

There are several agencies that accept single mothers. The Russian program is still accepting single mothers. China I know has closed their single mother program for the moment. Our agency has told me that there are several single moms out there and they themselves have several!

Not an issue here....welcome to the board!

Lisa

[waitinginnj]

I am one of the single moms that posts here. Feel free to PM me with questions. I adopted my daughter last year. It has been a wonderful adventure for me and I haven't regretted the decision for a moment - Although I have had some interesting moments.

Most agencies will work with single moms, although I found some seemed to treat them better than others. You want to watch that you are given the same priority as two parent families. Some agencies seem to think of singles as the back ups that fill in at the end. Thankfully I found one that treated me really well.

There are some regions in Russia that won't allow single parent adoptions, but there are many that do.

When selecting an agency make sure that they provide you with references of other singles who used them for their adoptions. It was through the reference process that I really found that there were differences.

Best of luck with school and making a potential adoption decision.

[CherAbb]

YES! A friend of mine is single and adopting a little girl from Khabarovsk. She returns for court on March 15th! While you might run into an agency or two who doesn't work with single moms (probably because the regions they work in have judges that frown on it) there are many agencies that happily work with single moms.

I also know that our agency works with single moms so there are many options!

Good luck!

[PR728]

DEFINITELY OK in Russia right now. When my husband and I adopted our son a year ago, we met a single mom at the host family's house in Russia. Her daughter and our son are from the same orphanage. The director/caregivers/translators/judge had absolutely no problem with her being a single mom. I admire her. We've stayed in touch and a few weeks ago, we just celebrated "Gotcha Day" together - which was so awesome! Best of luck in your decision.

[KKPeanut]

I am one of those single mothers to. I have a biological son and decided I wanted another child so here I am waiting for my referral for a baby daughter from Russia.

It can be stressful at times, especially not to have some one to talk over things with. There are a lot of decisions that need to be made and I am lucky to have a good support network to lean on.

But the journey is exciting and nerve wrecking. But in the end having a daughter makes it all worth it. Then the second journey begins - Being a MOM. Single or not its the best thing in the world.

PM me is you have any questions.