Adoption.com is a wonderful place to start - lots of information. Just a friendly warning: beware of the waiting children lists. It is a sure way to a broken heart. I kept falling in love with all of these precious babies, all of whom were no longer available when we finally got our homestudy done. I just don't look anymore, except for the waiting child list from our agency.
Well, I just did some research on local georgia adoptions, and turns out it doesn't take long to get a baby once you have completed the homestudy process..3m-1year for AA babies and a little longer for caucasian babies. I would want an AA baby, but I can't talk Tom into it yet. He said maybe in another year or two..
However, I did find out mothers/fathers need to be under age 45! Waaa..I'll be 40 this year and Tom will be 42...so I hope he means only another year..
The other thing I noticed that for those "speedy" adoptions, it is a bit expensive. I would need to save a LOT of money..the application alone is 200 non refundable dollars..and that's before the homestudy. The one agency I found that looked great also needs statements of christian faith..not a problem here as we are longtime members of an episcopalian church, but that sort of bugged me.
LMK if any GA mamas want the link. It's pretty easy to google them though!
__________________
Meg
Mama to Alexis, 22; Jacob, 19; and Elijah 11/20/02 and Sophia Jane, 11/20/04
Elijah allows me to dress him nicely and take a picture!
Location: if this were the wrong decision you'd already know it
Posts: 40,909
And be forewarned - Catholic families are often turned away from Bethany because they don't consider them "Christian" families. (Episc could be the same - so watch out for some of the agencies that require a statement of faith - they can be REALLY picky)
One of my current teachers has adopted (are you ready?)....
34 children! She has four biological, is no longer married, hasn't been for years. If I understand correctly they were all state adoptions, all various races and she has paid for all of it herself! WOW! Besides teaching she write textbooks. That's all! Two of her children live in apartments behind her home, nine others still live at home and the youngest is six.
She said that a bouquet of flowers is most beautiful when it contains many varieties and colors of flowers and that's how she thinks of her family.
Wow, will you PM me her name? I know of (online) a few ladies with tons of kids. Specifically one that is single. I wonder if it is her...
I hope this helped you. It's all what I've been meaning to PM you. Please PM me or post here if you have any more questions.
Well, I just did some research on local georgia adoptions, and turns out it doesn't take long to get a baby once you have completed the homestudy process..3m-1year for AA babies and a little longer for caucasian babies. I would want an AA baby, but I can't talk Tom into it yet. He said maybe in another year or two..
However, I did find out mothers/fathers need to be under age 45! Waaa..I'll be 40 this year and Tom will be 42...so I hope he means only another year..
The other thing I noticed that for those "speedy" adoptions, it is a bit expensive. I would need to save a LOT of money..the application alone is 200 non refundable dollars..and that's before the homestudy. The one agency I found that looked great also needs statements of christian faith..not a problem here as we are longtime members of an episcopalian church, but that sort of bugged me.
LMK if any GA mamas want the link. It's pretty easy to google them though!
I know of a few agencies in GA, one is the one my sister is adopting through and the other I just found out about today. A lot of agencies do require statements of faith. If they are private they can pretty much come up with just about any requirements they want. Was it a specific agency that gave you an age limit? That's something else I forgot to mention. It's not somethign I think about a lot yet since I am 30, but our STATE requires that you be under a certain age to adopt an infant for state adoptions only. Then it is up to specific agencies to put their limits on adoptive parents. Also many adoption agencies do require you to be married a certain amount of time, usually b/t 2 to 5 years.
Melody came home 7 months after we signed up. Also the speedier ones can sometimes be the least expensive b/c good agencies will reduce fees in order to find a child a home. Not all of them will though. But it's a big chunk at once so you would need to have it saved up (or be prepared for a quick loan).
And be forewarned - Catholic families are often turned away from Bethany because they don't consider them "Christian" families. (Episc could be the same - so watch out for some of the agencies that require a statement of faith - they can be REALLY picky)
I didn't know this until recently when a friend and I were talking about it, but she said that Bethany has changed their stance on Catholics. I am not sure if that's true or not though.
Also Bethany has message boards that don't neccessarily pertain to just those adopting through them. I think their website is bethany.org.
I know of a few agencies in GA, one is the one my sister is adopting through and the other I just found out about today. A lot of agencies do require statements of faith. If they are private they can pretty much come up with just about any requirements they want. Was it a specific agency that gave you an age limit? That's something else I forgot to mention. It's not somethign I think about a lot yet since I am 30, but our STATE requires that you be under a certain age to adopt an infant for state adoptions only. Then it is up to specific agencies to put their limits on adoptive parents. Also many adoption agencies do require you to be married a certain amount of time, usually b/t 2 to 5 years.
This was this particular agency from what I can tell. However, it goes through the state, so it may be a requirement. I'd hope not, since parents are getting on the average older these days, but it wouldn't surprise me. I think in a couple of years I would consider a slightly older child, too.
Thank you for starting this thread, LeeAnn! We've been feeling more and more lately that our last child (or children) will be added through adoption and I've been quite discouraged by things I have read about large families not getting chosen.
We are starting to save now because we wish to do an international adoption.
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Cher ~ Mama to Taylor (13), Kirstin (12), Meghan (10), Kate (8), Ella (6), Jack (4) and Evan (1)
“I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.” ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Cher - I am SURE you'll get picked. I'm sure you know this already but just research your countries carefully. Some are more large family friendly than others.
Location: if this were the wrong decision you'd already know it
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Cher - I believe your best bet, with having a large family, is Guatemala. Otherwise, if you're willing to accept a special needs child, many other countries will let you adopt with a large family. Some are significantly disabled and some are only "low birthweight" or minor, correctable issues (cleft lip, etc). They also will list "preemies" as special needs, so it helps to narrow your country and look into each issue with a specific child. Ethiopia also has very relaxed guidelines and, I believe, has no limit on family size.
That's assuming you don't want to leave the kids back home so that you can travel to pick up the adopted child.
If you ARE willing to travel, you can look at other countries.
Albania, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Phillipines, Ukraine, etc.
Location: if this were the wrong decision you'd already know it
Posts: 40,909
Quote:
Originally Posted by lassie
I didn't know this until recently when a friend and I were talking about it, but she said that Bethany has changed their stance on Catholics. I am not sure if that's true or not though.
Also Bethany has message boards that don't neccessarily pertain to just those adopting through them. I think their website is bethany.org.
This was pretty recent, since we just started the path last year. But, maybe if it's been since then, the negative press was enough to get them to switch.
Monie 
(Episc could be the same - so watch out for some of the agencies that require a statement of faith - they can be REALLY picky)
A lot of agencies do require statements of faith. If they are private they can pretty much come up with just about any requirements they want. Was it a specific agency that gave you an age limit? That's something else I forgot to mention. It's not somethign I think about a lot yet since I am 30, but our STATE requires that you be under a certain age to adopt an infant for state adoptions only. Then it is up to specific agencies to put their limits on adoptive parents. Also many adoption agencies do require you to be married a certain amount of time, usually b/t 2 to 5 years.
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