If you are trying to adopt a newborn then you create a profile of your family. The purpose is to sell your family as the best choice to a potential birthmother. If you are adopting from foster care then you are trying to sell your family to an adoption worker. When you inquire on an available child over the internet, a form pops up and you must fill in information about your family. The worker may only read the first few lines before deciding to finish reading or toss the application in the circular file. Is there anything you can do to increase... more

So In yesterdays post I left off that at this point we are content with our daughter and feel busy and happy with our jobs of raising her. We feel that we have room in our hearts and home to adopt more children but we are not sure that now is the time to do that. I want to trust those instincts that are telling me that at this point we have our hands full with our daughter. I want to nurture her and focus my energy on her for now.

When do you know its time to... more

So we have been home for a year now. Our toddler is becoming more self sufficient, she is doing more and more for herself and when I see her playing with little friends my thoughts have been drifting to whether or not we will add another child to our family. Lately I’m seeing pregnant women wherever I turn. I still feel that sense of longing to get and be pregnant. That inner craving that I think most women can relate to. We have no intentions of going through that whole IVF nightmare all over again. So unless a miracle occurs and we do get pregnant, we welcome... more

It surprises many to learn that my husband and I never intended to adopt a child. I’m not just talking about us not intending to adopt the first child, but we have actually never intentionally set out to adopt ANY child. Yet, somehow, they came. 24 more children. We’re sure not complaining about that!

While I have never longed specifically to adopt, a few times I have desperately longed for another child either vaguely or specifically. It’s that longing that spurred on the experiences of our last 8 years. We had three children... more

I remember while in Russia and going through all the uncertainty of court, the 10-days not being waived, visiting our daughter and still feeling on shakey ground not really knowing what the heck was going on. Another couple traveling with us had housing/ lease issues with court and they were put through the wringer. I would sit with the woman and we would both be in tears saying “ never again” that we would never go through this again as its just such an emotional ride.

Always feeling under the microscope, having every detail of your existence... more

My son's best friend has been staying with us since the weekend because his parents are away on business. I am always surprised how easily he fits into the rhythm and flow of our family when he stays over. He and my son are always spending the night back and forth between their two houses for days at a time, going out of town with each other's families, etc. This is the first time he's ever stayed for such a long stretch. His mom will be arriving shortly from the airport to take him home. I know he misses his parents and they miss him, but my son, of course, wants... more

What does it mean to be ready to adopt? Is there some secret checklist that parents who are considering adoption keep in their heads and privately review? Are there any critical questions that you should ask yourself before you begin the adoption process?

I love this piece written by Barbara Holton. Here are just a few reasons that some people may give for considering adoption along with Ms. Holton's responses:

I want a playmate for my birthchild. Hire a neighbor's child.... more