Adoption. Have Any parents been through this?

Congratulations on your decision! I'm an adoption advocate, and while I haven't had kids yet, you should talk to Dakota's Mom on here. She adopted her son from Guatamala. She's the only person on here that I know of who's adopted.

 

Either domestic or foreign- adoption is a hard process. Just be prepared for that. Is there any case you would be willing to open you home to an older child. Past about 2 or 3, it's exceedingly difficult for older children to find homes in the US and often just get bounced through the system. Everyone and their brother wants a baby (which is 100% understandable) but not only is it much more difficult, but there are so many older or special needs children who need homes as well. Most of my friends who were adopted in the States were adopted between the ages of 5 and 7- many out of group homes in foster care. Yes, those children do come with more baggage, but most of them turned out exceptionally well. Even the one who didn't can't necessarily be attributed to his past as his twin sister (adopted by the same family) is a wonderfully well adjusted person.

Adopting abroad is difficult in the financial respects. From what I know, you have to be ready at any time to either be at the airport or hop on a plane to greet your child. My best friend was adopted from Korea and her parents were called by the caretaker bringing her over (she was 2 and coming with a few other children) when she landed in California that they needed to be in Albany ready for her in 5 hours. Another friend was abroad for a French summer school trip to find his parents gone- they had to leave on last minute notice to Honduras to get his baby sister.

In the late 80s when my best friend was adopted, it took about 2 or 3 years to go through the whole process of adoption- at least through her specific agency. I would assume it is similar today.