Through some of the many, many China support groups on Facebook and in real life, I hear a lot of discussion about taking children already in the home to China with the new parents to bring home a new child. People wonder, worry and discuss because it is a decision worthy of all that. It’s…
For the last few months, advocates have taken you from thinking about China adoption all the way to Family Day and a little beyond. And although we are proud of the overview we have provided, obviously this series alone cannot adequately prepare you for your adoption journey. There is so much more to discuss…coming home,…
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…
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…
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…
“Expect the unexpected and prepare, prepare, prepare!” This was advice I had read time and time again. Advice that I had listened to as we prepared to meet our daughter for the first time. I read all the suggested books, took the online trainings, and surrounded myself with the adoption community. I felt more than…
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