The Little Couple, thoughts?

kimmyb1020

I was curious if any of you are watching the Little Couple and had any thoughts about it. I am getting asked a lot if we are watching it and what we think. 

I think they are REALLY nice people and REALLY deserve to be parents and I'm very happy for them that they have chosen this route and are giving attention to special needs international adoption.

However....I was a little annoyed when I watched last night when all of a sudden they were "a few weeks" away from traveling to China and then they just decided to adopt another child from India. It made the timeline seem ridiculously fast, not to mention I'm not sure if you can even have concurrent international adoptions in process. And the small fact that they are probably dropping $30,000-$40,000. 

I know it's a tv show and most of the international adoption is boring waiting, but I wish they had at least talked about the reality of it.

 

thoughts? 

  

SweetieBelle04

I've been following it, and I have mixed feelings.  For the most part, I think it's great!  They seem so sweet, and I'm really happy for them.  They have definitely compressed the timeline.  I think they haven't hidden that, but they haven't been really transparent about it, either.  It's obvious that a lot of time is passing, but they aren't talking about it.

I think the money thing is not really an issue.  If you watch the show, it's pretty obvious that they aren't hurting in the financial department.  I think that the two adoptions probably fit well within their budget, so it's not a thing they really need to address.  If they had a more modest income, I might expect more of an explanation.

I'm really looking forward to seeing them adjust and seeing how they parent two little ones. Those kids are in for a treat!

SmileyJay

I think you have to consider that this is a tv show with limited air time and the majority of the general public is extremely uneducated about how adoption works. In addition, they are paid to do the show but also both have successful careers (they have a completely modified upscale home and I believe she is a pediatrician). I would guess that the cost of the adoption is not a huge factor for them and their media presence would definitely speed up the time line. I don't think it took Brad and Angelina anything like the 12-24 months it takes most couples for each of their adoptions. 

I think it would be great if a show would take the time to thoroughly explain the plight of adoptive parents. The hoops they jump through, the financial sacrifices, what leads them to adopt, and also the challenge of bonding with and raising a nonbiological child.  Complicated makes great tv, but drawn out educational drama does not. 

SoSweet06

I hadn't really thought about the portrayal since I haven't watched the show lately (My thoughts were more about how the kids will feel about their transition to a family being on t.v., but that's another post). 

A) If I had the money, we would have started on adoption #2 when we were in country for #1, so I'm more jealous of them than anything. Keep in mind that they are adopting children with identified special needs. So, the timeline doesn't typically look like the timeline to adopt a typically developing child.

 Some countries allow concurrent adoptions, but i don't think India is one of them. Considering the fact that they are home with kiddo #1 already, it's probably just a poor portrayal of the actual timing. 

 Since we're thinking about India for this time around, I might have to tune in  

arbutusbride

Timeline on TV is different from timeline in real life.  For all we know a lot of this was done a while ago.  

I'm sure there was some special treatment going on.  

miss1180

we adopted internatonally from Korea.  i loved the show before the adoption aspect started- i just think they seem like really sweet people. I'm thrilled for them and the kids. Bill and jen have been through everything the kids will go through as little people and can help them through it. their house is also customized for little people and will be a great environment for them.

  I think a lot of the process happened "behind the scenes". The show hasn't been on for a awhile (a year or so i think) which i think is because they were doing all of the adoption stuff. I thik a lot of it is probably being "recreated" for the show. but i do agree that TLC should have done better with talking more about just how long it takes.

  But their children would also  be special needs, which a lot of times has a whole different timeline AND as far as cost (not that its an issue for them!) there are a lot of grants and stuff for special needs kids, too.

  overall while i wish they weren't making it look so "Easy", i think its awesome that they are giving a lot of exposure to adoption and the types of kids that needs families out there.