intro and a question

umdsmlee

hi everyone!

DH and I are in the *very* early stages of exploring adoption options...i have ordered the idiot's guide to adoption - any other 'must-have' books? we are leaning towards international. tia! 

umdsmlee

oh perhaps i should have been more specific in my intro - we are interested (at this stage) in infant adoption...i realize international adoption usually begins around 6-9months - is that still considered 'older child' adoption? i'm obviously very new at this! 

MrsKolasa

Welcome!

We read a ton of books, but honestly, nothing was as helpful as going to a bunch of agency information sessions. It was great to get the rules/requirements of specific countries laid out for us and being able to ask questions. We ultimately went with domestic adoption, but it was great information to have.

Good luck!

MayDayGirl

welcome! I think the first poster was accidentally responding here but to a different question posted below

 

I have read a handful of books, but the only one that helped in the beginning stages was adoption for dummies. 

GOod luck!

noonecarewhoiam

International adoption is a rapidly changing landscape, so while there exist good books, they quickly become dated as rules and regulations change.

First, know that infants 6-9 months may be very difficult to come by internationally. Guatemala is closed, and children from Korea are generally closer to a year (if not 18 months) when they come home.

One book I liked was "How to Adopt Internationally" by the Erichsens. It was published in 2003, and the overarching issues are the same, but some of the details are much different.

Another popular book is "The Complete Book of International Adoption" by Dawn Davenport, who also has an excellen Web site.

Adoption.com has country-specific forums if you have pointed questions.