Adoption

Are you thinking of international adoption or domestic adoption? They each have a different set of joys, problems, and paperwork. We adopted both of our children internationally and would be happy to answer questions and point you to some resources to answer your questions/concerns. Whichever route you go, I'd suggest you start by reading everything you can get your hands on and asking lots of people for references. Some of the information will be overwhelming and scary. It doesn't mean that it will happen to you, but know that the possibility is there and tknow where to go for more information.

Good luck!

L.

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S.,
Both of my children are adopted. We went through Adoption by Gentle Care. They are located in Columbus but they adopt throughout the US. Both children were placed with us when they were 3 days old. You can check out their website at www.adoptionbygentlecare.org. PLEASE email me if you have any further questions. The people at Gentle Care are amazing!!! Best of luck,
L.

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We adopted twin girls from Russia almost 7 years ago. It is/was an awesome experience! We used European Adoption Consultants in Cleveland. They were wonderful people. There is a contact here in Cincinnati , but all of the paperwork will go through the Cleveland office. You will have many resposes and lots of choices. Good Luck!
We went with international adoption because I really was not comfortable with lots of contact with a birth mother.....just depends on how you feel about that.
Good Luck!

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Hi. We adopted our son at birth almost 2 years ago - and it has been a wonderful experience. If you live in Indy area, you can go to adoption support center in Broad Ripple or their website. They have a good overview of the various adoption options - www.adoptionsupportcenter.com and we used a group of of California - www.adoptionnetwork.com and you can get more info from them as well. Feel free to contact me with any other questions. Best of luck

C.

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We adopted through the foster care system. We actually never intended to adopt but our daughter's bio mom left the hospital and never looked back! At that time (4 years ago ) there was a $1500.00 cap on what the attorney's could charge for everything except publications and filing fees and those came in under $400.00. If you're interested, just get back with me.
R.

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S.,
I am an adoptee and have two siblings that are adoptees. I also an the daughter of a local adoption educator. There are some great resources out there about all the different options in the road to adoption. For reading material, check out perspectivespress.com.

Best of luck to you.

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Hi,
I'm a birthmom and my daughter was placed thru Coleman Agency which is now part of St. Elizabeths in Indianapolis. They were awesome, they chose a wonderful family for my daughter. I stayed in contact with them over the years, whenever I moved, so they could update my file. Not only do they provide support to the adoptive parents but they also support the birthmom which I think is very important.
http://www.stelizabeths.org/

Good luck to you.
J.

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most states want you to be a foster parent first.there are many couples that want babies please consider an older child my brother started out in the foster care system and they adopted a gorgeous young male child whom has some medical problems due to the parents issues mentally.but every day with this child holds its own special challenges but he is loved none the less.most of the time the answer is right under you nose i dont know which state you live in butit breaks my heart to see a lot of family children broken up because someone only wants one child.look at it from many angles pray especially about this never take a decision lightly like this.i know of a lot of good adoptions and some bad adoptions but remember this every child deserves love.K.

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Hi S.,
I adopted a little girl at birth almost 2 years ago. It was the best experience I have ever gone through. Though it can be trying at times it was all worth it. I was able to go into the delivery room and cut the cord after she was born. When the nurse bundled her in her blanket and handed her to me I never knew i could love someone so much.

The adoption agency I used was ABL Adoptions. They work with families in Indiana, Ohio and Louisiana. Here is their website so you can see if they may be a fit for you. http://www.abladoptions.com/

I would recommend calling. My adoption coordinator was Lisa and she was wonderful. The thing I really loved about them was that they are available 24/7. Even though I didn't call her in the middle of the night she always assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. Good luck with what ever you decide and let us know how the process is going.

If you have questions please feel free to email me. I love sharing my experience. ____@____.com

T.

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Hi S.,
If you live in the Dayton, OH area then look at Kettering Medical Center's New Beginnings class offerings. They have a course on adoption. It counts towards your education hours you need for adoption and it will show you all different types of adoption. The lady who runs the program is a sweetheart. You will learn about domestic, international, foster, and private adoption. You will get to hear from agencies to help you, adopters, adoptees, and birthmoms. You get a really well rounded perspective. There is an agency in Yellow Springs called Adoption Link and they are great too; I highly recommend them. Naomi is another sweetheart. I have an adopted son and we have a great relationship with his birthmom too. No matter what, be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster, but it's very worthwhile! Good luck.
C.

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Hello S.! We have a beautiful, healthy, perfect 4 year old daughter who we adopted. Our adoption was a private adoption meaning we heard of her situation through a friend of a friend and used an adoption attorney to file and finalize all paperwork through court. We received custody of our daughter when she was 7 months old and our experience is beautiful. I can not put in to words how big of a blessing adoption has been for us. We are now in the process of our 2nd adoption. This time we are using an adoption agency located in Dayton Ohio. We have heard so many success stories through this agency and have had a great experience so far! Our homestudy has been finalized for a couple months and we are now waiting for our perfect child. They usually say it takes 5 to 8 months for a placement but I have seen placements in under 1 month. The adoption agency is Action ###-###-#### / actionadoption.org. We have known many couples who have traveled from Cincinnati and Columbus to this agency. This agency places children from the foster care system all over the USA so the costs are low. Parental rights have already been terminated so the fear of a failed placement are low. There is many options for adoption. Domestic or International, adoption agencies and adoption attorneys, foster to adopt, adoption through foster care system, private adoptions, open adoptions and closed adoptions. I have never heard any adoption stories that are the same. Everyone has different adoption experiences but ours has been so wonderful and we are so excited to add another child through the wonderful blessing of adoption. I would suggest doing some research on which option you feel would be the best for your family. There are so many wonderful children in need of loving homes and the joy they will bring to your life is so wonderful! I wish you the best on your journey to add to your family. God bless!

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hello
I haven't personally adopted but i know a few people who have. A great place to start is the Berea Children's home and famili services. they are located in Berea ohio. It's basically and orphanage for kids birth to 18 and they do adoptions. I don't know your feelings on what nationality etc. you want to adopt, but i thinks it's great to adopt within our own country, there are plenty of kids here who need good homes! i know that they do have a website.
good luck!
J.

I have a friend who adopted a beautiful little girl. She used a Christian service called Bethany Christian Services. You can go to their website (www.bethany.org) and click on the appropriate links. There is one link that says 'Looking to Adopt' or something like that. I have spoken to a woman who works there and their screening process is very stringent to ensure children are placed in the best possible homes. I'm not trying to be presumptuous or anything, I just wanted to share what I know. One of the things they will do is get referrals from members of your church (including pastor), so I'm pretty sure they are VERY careful and thorough. If you want more info, you can go to their website or call 1-800-BETHANY. I think that's the right number. That is the national number and they will be able to direct you to the local office nearest you.

Hope that helps.

God bless,
A.

Some close friends adopted a little girl from Russia about six years ago. I can ask them if they'd be willing to share info. What contact info do you want me to give them?

I don't know alot but got bored one day and went on the internet looking at international adoptions (china/russia). They have strict rules now. You have to be at least 30, you have to be married a certain amount of years and no more than 2x, and also there is a weight requirement. If you are considered obese you cannot adopt..crazy huh. Anyway China costs a little less than russia and you go in one visit for about 12-14 days and it costs like 2o thousand and russia cost like 30 thousand and you have to visit there 2x .. anything local.. I don't have a clue about

S. -

Yes, we adopted a beautiful little girl from China almost 11 years ago. We went through an adoption agency in Evansville -- Families Thru International Adoption. If you are interested in foreign adoption, I highly recommend them -- no surprises. Contact me if you like. ____@____.com

L. L.

Foster care is the cheapest way to adopt, but it can be a heart breaking situation. You can think, the agency has custody and you will get to adopt, but everything can change at any time when it comes to public foster care.

There is an organization of lawyers who only do adoptions, usually private adoption and it will cost a little more, but the mom's that use a lawyer are usually serious about putting their baby up for adoption. Now some of those, have an agreement with the adoptive parents, that they can see the baby once in a while (the case I know of, the birth mom, got to see the baby about every 3 months---but the child didn't know that was their mom, they were going to tell her later) or that the adoptive parents send them pictures and info once in a while.
Just go online and search for adoption lawyers.

I don't know where you live,but if you are intersted in adopting here in the states, I recommend you contact Kirsh and Kirsh. They are not cheap, but you are more likely to get a baby sooner with them. They specialize in adoption. They are located in the Indianapolis area, but handle adoptions all over. My sister in the Army in Germany used them. The good thing about them, is if you have an adoption fall through, you are moved up on the list for the next available baby. (If a mom comes to them looking for parents.) That is what happened to them, they were adopting biracial or black, and had one fall through, but then adopted their daughter less than a month later.
Good luck to you.
R.

Hi Shanon.

I was adopted at birth and I am also an adoptive mother of a 6 year old young man from birth. We are also a foster to adopt home looking at giving back to our community because we felt so fortunate at having a great newborn experience.

It is a process you will have to want to put your heart into! Good, bad, right or wrong things happen for a reason and you are only given what you can handle. I am speaking from my own experience but I never thought I would ever be a mother and it has happened for us. After years of infertility treatments we were joking about one day and someone over heard us and followed my hubby into his office to say his wife was expecting. 7 months later we were their for his birth and she put him into our carseat. I had sooo many worries that it might fall apart or something bad again might happen to my chances of being a mother. We pulled over a few blocks from the hospital and pinched our selves to make sure it was real! The one thing that I always keep in my mind was if she was the birth mother she will be the mother until she gives up her rights for someones else to raise the child.

Even with the couple of foster children I have had the pleasures to help take care of. Their parents are still trying to do the best they know how. Even if they are right or wrong some just don't know how to from thier own problems either mental or being brought up in their own family.

If you have enough love to open your heart for this don't give up. If your family has the will then their will be a way.

Finding the right situation for you will come. Work to find a social worker either an adoption agency or children services or even a support group will help you find the answers. Your gyn can help be a good guide also. Our social workers both times helped as well and so many other people helped us get the right answers for us.

Good luck and don't give up on your dreams.

my friend went through a wonderful adoption agency here in indianapolis. if you email me directly i can get you the information. ____@____.com