Adoption 101 (well what I know so far!)

Okay, so this isn't really adoption 101.  We of course are only in the first step, fundraising.  But I have had a ton of people ask me about adoption and where they can find information.  Here is what I know and the research I have done.  THESE ARE MY INTERPRETATIONS OF ADOPTION, YOU SHOULD DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH IF YOU PLAN ON ADOPTING AS EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN OPINION!

Domestic Adoption:  There are several agencies in the US for domestic adoption.  There are only a few that allow partially open or closed adoptions, the majority that I have found are open adoptions. 

1.  Open adoptions are where you meet the birth mother, and remain in contact or partial contact with the birth mother depending on what you agree on. 
2.  Partially or semi-open adoptions are where you can communicate with the birth mother through the agency that you are using.  Depending on comfort of both parties you could talk to the birth mother personally. 
3.  Closed adoption is that where only the minimum amount of information is given to the birth mother and the adoptive family.
With Domestic adoption you usually get your child at a very young age, and a ton of the time straight from the hospital!
The cost is about the same as international, is some cases a little less expensive.  It all depends on the agency and the medical costs of the birth mother.

International Adoption:  There are also many different agencies for international adoption.  Only certain agencies deal with certain countries.  There are several countries where you can adopt from right now, here are a few:
1.Korea (where we will be adopting from! here is my friends blog who just got her daughter from korea in Nov! http://www.afamilytolove.blogspot.com/
2.Ethiopia (my next choice!  for info on this one go to http://www.weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/)
3.China
4.Ukraine
5.Bulgaria
6.Thailand
7.Taiwan
8.Uganda
9.India
10.Nepal
11.Rwanda
12.Russia

International adoption right now is running about 25-50k.  That is including all of your cost from application to all the post adoption costs. 

Usually with international adoption your child will be 9 months old or older when they come home.  In some circumstances it may be earlier.  (Ethiopa is one of the countries I am pretty sure they can come home earlier).  There are also many sibling groups up for adoption.  Check out this couples blog, they just adopted two boys!  http://www.adoptingsweetpea.blogspot.com/   As far as waiting for your child the times vary greatly.  With us we will probably wait about a year after our application for our son to come home!  With some agencies it is less than that but with most it is usually that or longer.  Some people have been waiting for their kids for 3-4years! (such as several of the Haiti cases that got to come home after the earthquake).  

And then there is adopting through the foster system, which I really don't know that much about.  I do know that the cost is very minimal in foster system adoption.   This isn't really an option for our family at this time.  (but definitely will be in the future!)

Now, this is only little bits and pieces of the information out there.  It really doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg, but it's a start.  If you have other questions here is a list of blogs of families who have already adopted and a list of some of the other sites and agencies I have researched.  If you have any questions let me know! 

http://www.weloveourlucy.blogspot.com/
http://www.adoptingsweetpea.blogspot.com/
http://www.dayeongandtherestofus.blogspot.com/
http://www.afamilytolove.blogspot.com/
http://www.the30dayjourneyforhope.blogspot.com/
http://www.ordianaryheroblog.blogspot.com/


http://www.holtinternational.org/
http://www.allgodschildren.org/
http://www.adoption.com/
http://www.aiaaadopt.org/
http://www.reecesrainbow.org/
http://www.hearttoheartadoptions.net/ 
http://www.adoptassoc.com/


Enjoy! 
Much Love!
Kristin

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God our Father is caring for the Orphans and Widows..."  James 1:27