[Bcelli]

Once you get your child home, the intensity of most of the pain you went through to get to that point fades. I've heard it's pretty much the same for birthmothers as well.

But I have read some horrendous stories on this forum of APs being jerked all over the planet by agencies, by MOE staff, by orphanage staff, by family members, by Embassy staff and travel/hotel personnel and on and on.

My question is: In retrospect and on a 1-10 scale (1=I will NEVER do this again; 10=perfectly beautiful and pain free), how would you rate your adoption process experience overall with respect to ease and satisfaction of the experience? And what would you or could you have done something differently to improve any problems/snags, knowing what you now know?

Everyone looks at their experience from their own unique perspective and what might have driven me completely over the edge might not even faze someone else. I'm just curious about each AF's perspective on their own experience through the process. Thanks.

[dlhall]

A 10 as far as satisfaction with the outcome. I have the most beautiful daughter and I couldn't be happier. But looking back on the journey, I'd have to give it about a 6 or 7--it was difficult, and overwhelming at times, and don't even get me started on the paperwork--what a chore! I remember breaking down and losing it at times, but we worked with a great agency and they kept us on track and provided us people to talk to when the fears and worries over took us. Obviously it couldn't have been too bad if we've started the process all over again. I hope knowing what I know now, it'll be a little easier on the emotions.

Liz

Natalya adopted 7/02
working on adopting a brother for Natalya

[kimpob]

I would say a 10. Our only hicup was Delta lost our luggage twice - on each of the 2 trips. Everything else went very smoothly and took a total of 10 months.

The paperwork is alot but if you just sit down and take it one at a time it really is not that bad.

The hardest part is now. We have been home 3 months and it has been an adjustment having a little one around. She is 10 months old and is just fantastic and very healthy and into EVERYTHING! LOL

Kim

[Vicki H]

I'd say 10 with the result, we couldn't be happier. I would say about a 7 with the process itself. We had a bit of trouble with the original translator and driver in Stavropol.
Not to worry, they are no longer working for the agency, the second trip our driver and translator were Awesome.

Vicki

[dvona]

Our outcome is a 10! Our adoption experience overall was a 2, but with the agency that finally found us our daughter---our experience went up to about an 8. And yes, I would do it again with the same agency. There are so many things that caused me great worry and many sleepless nights, that I now know I would not sweat. Something I would do differently would be to overestimate everything---time frame, cost, etc. Also, I would not tell any family, until we were on our way to Russia to meet our child!

Donna

[Mykidsmom]

Hi,

We would say a HUGE 10 for each of our adoptions.
If we were younger we would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Mykidsmom

[LilyMoon]

An absolute 10 with the outcome. Our daughter is such a joy in our lives!

The process to get here was a long and arduous one for us. I'd give it a 2. We went through three agencies until we found the one who found us our daughter. It took 2 years. The agency we ultimately used was a 10. If we had found this agency from the beginning, our process would have been a breeze, but then we wouldn't have the wonderful child that we have. So, it all worked out in the end.

___________________
LilyMoon
Lucky Mom to Zak and Anastasia

[sickmeig]

results of little katya - 10+. process - 1 - through no fault of the agency. just too much paperwork when you are trying to work full time and raise other kids. i would get off any meds before starting the adoption process if i did it again. it was not worth the scrutiny, extra paperwork and questions in court. the process is probably easier for those who don't have other children at home. nobody can understand unless you have been through it, what the paperwork and documentation is like. i need to redopt in my state but just couldn't face the paperwork - maybe next summer.

[TweetyMom04]

10 here.

[Bcelli]

Yes, Kim, the trials and tribulations of adopting a toddler. Our No. 2 Russian son just turned 3 and has been home almost 6 months. It's somewhat better now, but in the beginning you literally could not take your eyes off him for 10 seconds. But what a joy to watch him adjust!

Naturally our overall outcome was a 10 both times. Processwise - 10 for No. 1; 6 for No. 2. Same agency, same coordinator, same court city, though the orphanage was in a different town. But with son No. 2, we had to make 2 trips, didn't get the 10 days waived, couldn't visit as much as we'd like during the wait because of where the home was located and there was another American family we unfortunately were linked to that made our life miserable for nearly 3 weeks. Kinda soured alot while we were there. BUT - in the end - a 10! (X2)

[Kasey]

Well if you asked me this last year when my documents sat in Russia for 6 months without anyword and the big runaround I would have said a 2, but we switched agencies at the end of April-04 and came home with our 5 1/2month old on 8/21/04, so once we switched agencies it was smooth sailing in regards to the adoption process, the only pain we felt was leaving him behind on the first trip for 2 weeks and a couple flight delays and lost luggage coming home from trip 1. But the staff in Russia was fabulous, the orphanage was very nice, and our son is so amazing and the absolute best gift we were ever given!
So once we swithced I would rate our process an 11!
Good luck,
Kris

[jimpol]

We had more problems with our first agency here in the U.S. than anything in Russia. Once we switched agencies and got into their process it was smooth sailing. I would give it at least a 9, maybe a 10.

We have had our son home for almost a year and a half and I absolutely love every single day. It was so worth it!

[MellieGrace]

Ours would also rate a "10". We had a great expericene all the way through and are still in awe of our wonderful little boy.

[JessnChuck]

So far, maybe a 1.5. It might go up after our daughter is home within the next 4-6 months.

[calikismet]

First the "given.." -- the final product of our kids is a 10+!!

Now the process.

I would have originally given our son's a 10.. now, after our daugter's, I realize that his actually gets a 11 or 12... From the moment we applied to the agency (as adoption novices) to the day we set foot in the US was a little over 3 months.. We applied the week between Christmas and New Year's 2002, and walked thru the door with our son in arms on April 8th, 2003. It was pretty darn flawless...

Our daugter was a 9... we lost our 1st referral (bio parents came back) but our agency came thru with flying colors and was able to make a 2nd referral, our daughter, within 2 weeks. Even her adoption was fast by some standards: we applied to the agency again on May 11, 2004 and adoption day was Oct 18th.. So 5 months total, start to finish.