As I wrote about in my last post, there can be many challenges involved with adoption from Africa, especially when prospective adoptive parents are not adopting through a very established program (or are not going through an adoption agency). While the rewards of a successful adoption are great, the risks can be great as well, so it is important that adoptive parents go into an adoption from Africa educated and prepared.

One of the common roadblocks... more

Adopting from Africa is not always an easy thing to accomplish. In fact, it is often quite complicated. There are several well-established adoption programs, such as Ethiopia and Liberia, but in most cases there are very few laws and regulations regarding international adoptions, and in some countries, there is not even a native word for "adoption".

Traditionally in Africa, if a child were to become orphaned, then the extended family would automatically take that child in and care for him. There were no legal proceedings or big to-do, it is... more

Tana just posted on the value of mentoring – and I totally agree. One of the items on my list of things to do while waiting (that I have been covering one or two at a time!) is to “Find an adoption "mentor" who's "been there, done that" and learn from them”. In birth language, I would tell you to find a doula or a midwife.... more

Speaking of riding the roller coaster, there are always "downs", aren't there? We have generally had two governments to deal with - sometimes neither one wants to be cooperative. We had trouble this time, right here in the US because one person who works at the USCIS office in my state doesn’t like big families - she made us wait months for approval and required us to send documents that were just not pertinent to approving our application. We did it, though, 'cause she holds the power, doggone it.

I've been in US Embassies in other countries... more

You would think after adopting a number of children, that the roller coaster ride would be "no big deal" anymore. It still is! It drives me bonkers - when I have time to think about it. There are some great ups and some awfully scary downs. Ups are funner, but it sure seems like the downs come all too fast and all too often.

Some of the ups for me: I have so many great kids to love!! You know how you worry with one child that you'll never be able to love a second? When I taught childbirth classes, I always told parents that love is not divided... more

Adoption paperwork can be daunting, but like everything else, the first time is the hardest. I can assemble a complete dossier, including apostilles, if necessary, in 3 weeks flat. :) The paperwork is also notorious for multiplying overnight, leaving you with stacks of paper all over the place. (Well, it does if you're like me!) Here are my Fab Five Filing Tips for Pesky Paperwork! (Oh, but one caveat - if you are a natural born organizer, I'm sure you will have already come up with much better ideas. If, however, you are not, well then, maybe these ideas will help.)

USE... more

Congratulations! You're thinking about adding to your family via adoption and Africa is calling to you. That's great! It can be an overwhelming prospect, but just remember, thousands of US families are adopting from all over the world every year. Here are some things for you to think about as you make your decision.

•If you are married, how does your spouse feel? It’s perfectly normal to have one partner (usually the mom) more excited and gung-ho than the other - at least at the beginning! •What age child are you hoping to adopt? Newborn? Toddler? Preschooler? School-age? Are you open to a sibling group with more than one age? More than one non-related child? •What... more