Has anyone here adopted children in the U.S. and would be willing to share their experiences? I have been looking at information online but am still not really sure how things work.
I'm going to go anon because DH and I are not ready to share this with our families until we've made some decisions.

By Sandysmom on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 08:38 pm:

I have adopted one daughter and am currently working on adopting another daughter. But we went through social services so that's a story and a half there. It can be a very difficult and long process. But if you are talking about a private adoption, I know nothing about that. If you want to hear more about the way we chose, e-mail me at scott dot family 4 at verizon dot net. I'd be glad to share some things with you.

By Kate on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 08:48 pm:

I know a little bit about it, having two siblings who both adopted here in the U.S. What are you wanting to know?

By Anonymous on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 09:07 pm:

I understand that we would register with either a public or private agency and that we would go through background checks, home visits etc.. and then they would help us find a child that would be a good fit for both our family and for the child's needs. I'm just starting to research the process and it seems a bit overwhelming and would love to hear how things went and are going from people who have BTDT.
I guess what I am looking for people to share their experiences about how the process went for people who have BTDT. How well everyone adapted. If people also had biological children, how was the relationship between the two. Things that I can't learn from social services/agencies.
Sandy I'll send you an email later this evening. Thank you

By Kate on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 09:23 pm:

Hmmm....it sounds like you might be looking at an older child, and perhaps a special needs child. My sisters adopted healthy newborn infants. One sister was with an agency and on a list. When she moved down the list far enough, she got a baby. She did fit certain criteria the birth mother had, and was the first person on the list to fit that criteria. That meant 25 couples AHEAD of her, did NOT fit the criteria and did not get the baby. A birth mother could also have just chosen them from looking thru files, but that's not how it happened. My other sister did a private adoption working directly with the pregnant birth mother. Neither have adopted siblings for the babies yet, so I can't tell you about those kind of adjustments.

Yes, there were numerous background checks, home visits, references, interviews, etc. before they were allowed to adopt. Good luck to you...

By Mommyof5 on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 09:53 pm:

I have not adopted domestically but from China and Vietnam. However, I do have both adopted and bio children so I can help with information on that. You can eMail me at Stolz7 @ w i n d s t r e a m dot net

By Marcia on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 11:09 pm:

I live in Canada, but have adopted 2 of my kids, and I have one bio daughter in between. We adopted privately in a fully open adoption first, and through the Children's Aid the second time, in a not so open. (not our choice) The first was newborn, and the second was 17 months.
I also have 2 younger brothers who were adopted, and a nephew.
I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

By Hol on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 02:33 am:

I have adopted two U.S. kids and I will be glad to share the info this weekend. I am just up for a few minutes because I can't sleep, but I have to leave for work at 7:30, so I need to get back to bed.

By Sandysmom on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 08:09 am:

I just sent you an e-mail.

By Anonymous on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 05:32 pm:

Thank you everyone. Tammie I would like to email you but I'll be out of town for the weekend so I probably won't get a chance until early next week.