[Yvonne_Mom]

I am looking for others who are looking to exapnd thier families through single parent adoption. I have one son (just turning two) and I am considering international adoption. I guess I am looking both for information and support... this is an intimidating process for someone with a spouse let alone going the road alone. I am very anxious over the processes and issues that may arise in an unfamiliar country. I am considering Russia and Bulgaria (single women accepted)... are there other programs anyone would recommend researching? Thanks so much!!

Yvonne

[amyfk]

I wish I could help you out Yvonne, but I'm out of the loop. I finished my adoption two years ago. One of the top message boards on this Russian forum lists the various agencies that folks have used to adopt from Russia. Many of the agencies are multi-country agencies. I would look them up, give some of them a call, and ask them in which ones you can be eligible to adopt as a single parent.
I hope someone more in the know will help you out. If you dont hear, try back after Christmas. It looks dead here on the boards today. Im sure the regular gang will be back here posting and answering soon enough.
Best wishes,
Amy K, NJ

[MichiAmy]

Hi Yvonne,

I am a single going through the process right now. I choose Russia for the structured process. I went on trip #1 in Oct and am STILL WAITING (not very patiently anymore, either!) for a court date.

I'd love to chat with you about any questions you have.

Amy

[58grace]

I am a single mom who adopted from Russia 3 years ago. I did not run into any issues from being single. I would just make sure to get with a good agency who will put you in the right regions. Also, would plan to have some one go with you on the two trips, but especially the 2nd trip when you bring the child home. It would have been super difficult for me on my own. I had a great agency. email if you want any more info.

[MamaChinch]

Hi Yvonne! Single mom here to three year old Delaney from Novokuznetsk! We have been home since Aug 2006 and my adoption process was amazing. It went fairly smoothly, a few bumps and hiccups here and there, but I was treated just like the other couples and had an agency with excellent in-country staff and support. My mom travelled with me on both trips and my sister was going to on trip two but then couldn't.
My agency also carefully chose a region they knew was signle-parent friendly, so that's something to consider.
PM me with any questions or concerns!

[mcanvasback]

Hi Yvonne,

I adopted a 9 month old girl from Kyrgyzstan in Sept 05. She is pure joy and I had little difficulty (once I got a divorce and changed agencies, then programs LOL but that is another story.) Krygyzstan is in Central Asia, a former Soviet republic.
I recommend the country highly - the process is not too cumbersome and the kids are great - most look somewhat Asian although not all of them, and you can get really young - under 6 mos - if that is what you want.

However.... the program is undergoing some changes at the moment so I'm not sure what is happening. If you would like the name of my agency and/or more info please PM me. They also do Russia and Kazahkstan.

[Yvonne_Mom]

Thanks for responding... I will keep checking in... I appreciate the support. Does anyone knows about what starlight mentioned is happening with Kyrgystan adoptions?

I think these forums are a wealth of information and support and I really appreciate all of you that responded. Please keep the info coming...

Thanks again!!

[waitinginnj]

Russia is doable for singles. I adopted my daughter 5 years ago.

I just heard that Nepal may be an option for singles too. My friend just started an adoption in Nepal.

I'd be glad to answer questions, but my info is a bit aged now.

[Pinkie]

Hello Yvonne, another single mum here!! I adopted a beautiful 5 year old girl from Kamchatka 3 years ago. I didn't experience any problems. Good Luck.

[k8c]

Check out the single russian moms group on yahoo. It's a WEALTH of support and information.

[Yvonne_Mom]

Thank you all so much... could you please PM me if you have a specific agency suggestion.

So as to provide info for others looking at this blog....

What areas of Russia are single friendly or not single friendly?
What type of questioning did you get with the courts?
Obviously I have childcare for my son already and would expect the child I adopt to be in child care while I work... did anyone have issues with this?
Any other issues of being a single mom?

I have decided to take my best friend with me regardless of country for the first trip... she is an MD and super supportive of my decision to adopt. I think I would feel better knowing the health of my child through my friend's eyes... she said she will help me by reviewing all the info...etc... I think she and her husband may look into adoption in the future... so I think she is excited for the first hand experience before they enter this scary world of international adoption!! LOL!!!

Thanks for the yahoo suggestion... I recently joined the Kyrgzystan singles site... but looks like things are on hold within their governement at the time. The State Department issued a warning that adoptions are proceeding slowly, etc...

[Nursie222]

I am a single women in the process of adopting from Russia. I believe all of the regions in Russia are open to single women. I just completed my homestudy last month and I will have the report this week. I didn't have any problems with the whole day care issue during my home study. They basically want to know that you have a good support network. That you have people, friends or family, that will be there for you and help you say if you get sick or need an extra hand. My social worker was very big on that. Good luck.

[daddyopolis]

Good luck, Yvonne. The few friends (married) that I have who are adopting from Russia have had a positive experience so far.

Myself, I am a single male who is considering adopting from Bulgaria. The agency advised me that is one country currently accepting single male applicants. I already have a child (just turned one) via surrogacy and exploring adoption to grow my family.

All the best!

[waiter]

I agree with the others that for single women Russia is very doable- at least at this time. I think as a single the things the officials are most concerned about are how much support you will have, do you have an income that can support your family, what is your health status, does your job allow time off for kid related things- especially initially as you get home and try to settle in, etc. Your agency should be able to steer you to regions that are single friendly.

One word of caution with regard to your travel companion. Make sure your agency and the people in Russia are ok with an unrelated travel companion and having it be a doctor. Not all baby homes/orphanages will allow you to bring a doctor in so you may need to be careful how you present your friend in different situations. Also be prepared for questions about your relationship with this friend. Her being married will make it easier but you should expect some questions with an unrelated travel companion. I traveled with a relative and we still had issues with what kind of room we had and how many beds there were, etc.

Other things I would suggest you think about ahead of time:
Who is going to take care of your child while you are gone. Trip one is usually about a week give or take, but trip two is closer to three or can sometimes be done as two trips.
Check out your employers adoption/family leave benefits. You will be asked about this multiple times and knowing the options and thinking about what you would do in a variety of situations will make answering those questions easier.