June 17, 2011

Put That Hat In

I recently learned, via Facebook of course, that a couple I know just received a referral for an 8 month old boy from South Korea. Like many couples trying to adopt internationally, they have struggled for years (and I mean years) in their attempts. It will now be another 10-12 months before their son is in their arms. I am overjoyed for them. I also thought to myself, wow this could be your 2nd or 3rd child if you would have adopted domestically. We in the domestic adoption industry understand and appreciate why people chose to adopt internationally versus domestically, but is there ever a “tipping point” when an adoptive family switches gears? International adoption programs are so volatile. Vietnam is completely closed and Haiti has changed it laws so drastically, couples like my friends, who had two referrals for Haiti pre earthquake, were left childless again. This couple, as with many who have desired to be parents since the walk down the aisle, won’t give up until that happens. But why not throw your hat in domestic ring while pursuing international adoption? For a family to be considered for birth mother situations with our agency all it takes is submitting the necessary paperwork – no down payments or partial payments, not even application fees- so go ahead while you are waiting for that referral from China and give that hat a toss.