Hilary is a guest writer for Red Thread and experienced adoptive mom who is committed to telling the child’s side of the story when a disruption occurs. We are sitting in Hannah’s hospital room after her second surgery to repair her club feet, the first one in China failed miserably. The medication suddenly wore off…
For many adoptive parents, THAT is the question. Before traveling to China, I was 100% certain that I wanted to visit my son’s orphanage. I wanted to see what his little life had been like for the first 4 years. Once Adoption Day rolled around, I wasn’t so sure. My sweet 4 year old son walked…
Total Files – 2,091 Girls – 564 (27%) Boys – 1527 (73%) Dossier First – 1 (0.05%) Aging Out (10+ years old) – 692 (33%), 219 girls/473 boys Aging Out (12+ years old) – 308 (14.7%) 91 girls/217 boys Aging Out (13+ years old) – 160 (7.6%) 47 girls/113 boys Breaking it down: There are 692 children age 10 and…
The first time we adopted from China was nearly three years ago now, but it still seems like yesterday. I traveled alone to bring home a daughter that we knew had a severe Congenital Heart Defect. I had flown for over a day, stopped in Beijing for a whirlwind tour of a lot of sights…
You made it! Now what?!?! **As a disclaimer, many adoption agencies are very specific on their travel itineraries & timelines. Everyone’s time in China will follow the same basic steps, but specifics may vary from what is represented here. Your agency will finalize your specific travel agenda before you leave. For families in a medical…
You’re FINALLY at the last step in your adoption process. Months of waiting, hoping, praying and, if we’re being real here, crying, are behind you. You’ve been counting down the days to this moment. You’re probably shouting, “I AM GOING TO CHINA!!!” And then, “OH MY GOSH!!! I AM GOING TO CHINA?!?” All of the…
Total Files – 2,086 Girls – 559 (26.7%) Boys – 1527 (73.2%) Dossier First – 0 (0%) Aging Out (10+ years old) – 692 (33%), 215 girls/477 boys Aging Out (12+ years old) – 297 (14.2%), 89 girls/208 boys Aging Out (13+ years old) – 147 (7%), 45 girls/102 boys Breaking it down: There are 692 children age 10 and up as of…
Just when you thought you were done, here is USCIS again! There are a lot of little steps and acronyms in this post, but hang in there! You are SOOOOO close! Before you send your dossier to China, you file the I-800a which is then approved stating your suitability as adoptive parents. This time around, you…
You have completed the home study, signed with an agency, completed boat loads of paperwork, been thoroughly investigated by nearly every agency known to man, compiled your dossier, sent it to China and received your LID. And then you have waited ever so patiently like all other adoptive families (HA!) to get your approval from…
Total Files – 2,039 Girls – 480 (23.5%) Boys – 1,559 (76.5%) Dossier First – 0 (0%) Aging Out (10+ years old) – 698 (34%), 218 girls/480 boys Aging Out (12+ years old) – 297 (14.5%), 90 girls/207 boys Aging Out (13+ years old) – 154 (7.5%), 48 girls/106 boys Breaking it down: There are 698 children age 10 and up as of the…
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