The number of families from wealthy countries wanting to adopt children from overseas has grown substantially over the last 30 years.

But, in some overseas countries, the lack of regulation of adoption and adoption agencies is a serious concern.  Plus the potential for financial gain, has spurred the growth of an industry around adoption, where profit, rather than the best interests of child, takes centre stage.  Abuses include the sale and abduction of children, coercion of parents, and bribery. 

Many countries around the world have recognised these dangers, and have adopted the Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption.  This international legislation, which is designed to put into action the principles regarding inter-country adoption which are contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

The principles ensure that adoption is authorised only by competent authorities, that inter-country adoption has safeguards and standards, and that inter-country adoption does not result in improper financial gain for those involved in it. 

These provisions are meant first and foremost to protect children, but also have the positive effect of providing assurance to prospective adoptive parents that their child has not been the subject of illegal and detrimental practices.

Perhaps one day all countries allowing international adoption will support the Hague Convention and the Rights of the Child; ensuring that all overseas adoptions are in the best interest of the child, not in the interests of greedy individuals.

For more information visit www.baby-adoption.co.uk

international adoption

Adoption is an exciting process. For you, the process took months, maybe years. However, to your child, it happened to them overnight. Suddenly you were there, taking him from the only environment he had ever known. There is little, if any, preparation for the child to adjust to a new life.

Your child is used to having caregivers…not a mother or father. You are simply a new caregiver initially. You will need to do things to prove you are different than the caregivers.

Initially, when you first get home with your child it is recommended to introduce family and friends slowly. It is tempting to have a big party but this can be very confusing and overwhelming to the child. They are still not completely attached to you and will randomly go to any adult that offers attention. Mom and Dad are not preferred yet.

It is recommended to keep family activities low key the first couple of weeks. Mom and Dad should be the only ones providing care during this time. The child needs to see who is in charge at home and who they can count on consistently.

* Try to not use a babysitter for the first few months so the child can bond to his mother more completely.

* Do not let your child ‘cry it out’. Sleep disruptions are common during this stage. After all, you have turned his entire world upside down and he will need to be comforted when upset.

* Help your child with things he can already do himself, like eating, or getting dressed so he learns you are the one in control and the one he will need if he wants these things.

* Play games that promote eye contact and in which your child must rely on you. Peek-a-boo, playing in a pool, hide and seek are all good games for this.

* Cradling the child like a baby, even if he is older, will offer him the experience of you holding him. This also forces eye contact again.

* Make a big deal of when they fall down and get hurt. You would never do this with your biological kids, but they already know to go to you when hurt or scared. Kids from institutions rarely get attention when hurt or scared and will rock or soothe themselves. They must be taught to trust you. It won’t take long for them to figure this out.

The bonding time is just a short period of time after the adoption is finalized. It may seem like eternity to you, but it is well worth the effort when your child calls you Mom or Dad and really means it.

For more information on adoption, visit www.baby-adoption.co.uk

Debbie Mumm is a parent of 3 biological and 2 adopted children. She is an Adoption Coach helping families before, during and after the adoption process. For FREE membership into her Forever Family Club, a group for adoptive parents to share parenting successes, go to http://www.everythingforadoption.com/forever-family-club.asp and register!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Mumm

adoption

Last year, more than 4,000 Guatemalan babies and children were adopted by US citizens.

Adoption has become so widespread that some Guatemala City hotels, there are special play rooms for babies and the parents who are staying there while finalizing the adoption process.

Acquiring a baby in Guatamala usually costs around $30,000, although the US embassy has evidence of local lawyers milking adopting parents for as much as $70,000. Since the adoption process in Guatemala is so lacking in controls, stories of abuse are abundant.

For many couples adopting from Guatemala say they have had few problems. They see themselves as fortunate, in that they can easily adopt a baby, and that they believe they are rescuing these children from what would be a life of poverty.

But not all babies put up for adoption come from dire poverty and human rights groups argue that foreigners wishing to adopt tend to ignore some of the children in most need of adoption, mostly older children who have been abused or neglected.

There are also strong rumours of baby-snatching, baby selling and kidnapping.

But things may be about to change, as both Guatemala and the United States plan to commit to the Hague Convention, an international agreement that sets standards for adoption programs.

For more information visit International Adoption

international adoption

We adopted an awesome 4 year old girl from Haiti, the 2nd poorest country in the world. We found an orphanage in Haiti that had a tremendous need for Christian parents to step up and see the need for rescuing children who need to come out of poverty, hunger and no way out.

Christian Adoption could be for you.

We began searching for the right path to take in 2004 and were led to an orphanage that was being run by an awesome Haitian pastor. He has dedicated his entire life to helping get the kids adopted out of Haiti. We actually did not go through an agency but dealt with orphanage directly, which they were very, very good to work with. They are Christians and so we felt comfortable that everything would be on the up and up.. and it was.

Haiti is the 2nd poorest country in the world and the government has put a ban into effect that once a child turns 16 they are unable to be adopted.

We chose to adopt a 4 year old girl, who is now 7 and our biological son is also 7. They get along together super!

Kayden (who we adopted) qualified for the state spelling bee and the state speech meet after only being in the U.S for 1 1/2 years, we consider that pretty amazing considering the fact that she could hardly speak any English when she arrived in the U.S.

Since we adopted from the orphanage they have hired a teacher that comes in to start teaching the children English.

We actually met Kaydens birth parents, it was very moving and powerful experience, they simply could not provide enough food for their kids. We now help support them. The average yearly income is $300.

Reasons why we chose Haiti:

1. The cost. It’s only $9000 for the first child and if you adopt more than 1 you get a discount. Our government gives a $10,000 tax credit so it balances out.

2. Its close. It still is international but its only an hour or two off the tip of Florida, a round trip ticket was only $500 from Iowa. We chose not to adopt locally because of the risk the birth parents wanted their child back.

3. It’s safe. No funny business from the government wanting money under the table.

4. Convenience. We didn’t have to spend the extra money going through an agency.

5. God led us to them.

If you are looking for a place to adopt from that is priced well, close to the U.S and is run by Christians, this is a great place. There is a yahoo chat group of past, present and future adoptive parents from this orphanage that you might like to get involved with and ask questions. Go to groups.yahoo.com and type in HCRM in the search box.

God will bless you for your willingness to adopt a child that has no chance without you.

Desperate kids can be found here that need a mom and dad love… http://www.haitichildrensrescuemission.org/newsite

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Litwiller
international adoption

New guidelines for adopting from china came into effect on May 1st 2007, and seem to have been well received both in China and overseas.

The new guidelines shortens the waiting time of candidate families and relieves their stress over adoption.

The new guidelines define  “suitable applicants” as :-

• in a stable marriage (Applicants must be married for at least two years, and those who have been previously divorced, should be currently married for at least five years).
• in good health (and with a BMI - Body Mass Index - of less than 40)
• with adequate finances.

“The new guidelines are aimed at solving the contradiction between too many applicants and the inadequate number of available children,” said Lu Ying from China Centre of Adoption Affairs .

He said the centre, the only institution authorized to deal with foreign adoptions, has received a soaring number of applications to adopt Chinese children in recent years.

For more information visit Adopting from China

china adoption

There have been stories in the news recently about adoptive parents being turned down for adoption because of their weight.

It seems to be that obesity is coming under the classification of ‘ill health’ as the reason for refusal.

This is a very worrying trend.

While nobody is pretending that obesity, particularly morbid obesity, is ‘healthy’ - how fat is too fat to adopt?

As far as I can find out, there are no specific guidelines laid out for when obesity becomes a reason to refuse the adoption. The decisions seem to be purely on the personal opinions of the judges in these cases.

If obesity is going to be a criteria for adoption, then new guidelines need to be drawn up by doctors, health professionals and the judiciary. The decisions cannot be left to the whim of a judge. 

The adoptive parents need to know the criteria from the beginning of the adoption process, not go through three years of red tape and heartache just to be turned down at the final hurdle.

Plus where does this trend on the ‘health’ front end? Will having a glass of wine when you go out for dinner come under the classification of ‘regular drinker/alcoholic’

What about smoking?

Where will judges individual decisions end?

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International Adoptions - Something To Feel Proud About

To decide to take in a child through adoption is a special thing. It is a difficult thing to choose to raise someone else’s child. You might feel that taking a child into your home that is of another race, from a different country, or another culture, makes it even harder.

Notwithstanding, there are thousands of individuals and couples who are choosing to be blessed by adoption within a year’s time. Why do they do it? Why is it good to take a child from another country?

Extras for choice, Extras to Love
In your area, the amount of babies for adoption is not so large. With the new ways to prevent pregnancy there are fewer babies being born who are not want. The amount of mothers who are all right with giving the child up for adoption is also declining. Babies are not as easy to find. The wait for an infant could take up more time than you want it to.

This is not the case for children in other countries. The wait for one of these babies is not as long because of the need for parents. You will be able to get the baby of your dreams.

You can answer the child truthfully when you tell them that you chose them and you love them deeply.

Shorter Wait Times
Adopting internationally brings about a wait time of a year to a year and a half. This might seem to be a long time but it does not compete with the time you have been without a child or the time it takes to adopt a local child. With all the requirements, a year is not anything.

Nobody’s perfect

Since the need is so large, there are certain things you are required to do before taking in an area child. Those without children are first on the list. You might need to have a problem with infertility before being considered. The age limit is 25 to 35 years old. The idea is that you need to be very healthy and have a spouse. In addition, birth mothers are able to decide what kind of parents their child will have, and their choice is for a couple that is married, not old, and college educated with a good paying job and an active life.

Adoptions from other countries are not as narrow minded. You can have up to seven other children, be over forty, and not have a large income. If you can show the ability to love and to be able to give the child a nicer home than what was given before, international services are willing to let you try and are appreciative.

The Child Is Yours

International children are normally not available unless they have no parents. This provides you with three important things.

1. There are no parents to come up and change their minds later.
2. The child is yours forever.
3. The child will not have a need to find their birth parents.

For custody issues, having an adopted child is like having a birth child.

The Globe Is a Large Place

When taking in an international child, you take in the culture also. It becomes like your own because this is the place that gave you your special gift. You open yourself up to the greatness of things learned about the country in which your child comes. Every part of her is now a part of you. Her family is your family and the ones whom you will ultimately find in your travels will be your friends.

It will be no question where your next vacation will be!

For more information, visit www.baby-adoption.co.uk

You can also find more info on adoption gay and adoption infant. ChildAdoptionGuide.org is a comprehensive resource to help couples with the adoption process.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins

international adoption

Adoption is a big step. A life changing decision.  And i full of ups and downs.

Some adoptive parents choose adoption after many years of trying for a baby of their own. Other adoptive parents may already have children but feel strongly about the suffering of children and selflessly offer a home and a family.

People without children, often feel like there is something missing in their lives, and can remedy this by adopting a child. The benefits of adoption, obviously do not only benefit the new parents. Adoption, gives a child who has no family of their own, the opportunity to grow up surrounded by loving family, and enjoy all the benefits and support that only family can provide.

Unfortunately the adoption process can be more expensive and complicated than expected. This unfortunately leads to a situation where some potentially fantastic parents cannot adopt children due the expense and difficulty involved.

The first step in adopting a child is one of self-analysis. In other words take some time to really think about what you are getting yourself into, adopting a child is a very serious business, and will impact on all aspects of your life for the rest of your life , and the life of the child you adopt.

If after a good solid dose of honest self-analysis you are still keen on the adoption idea, then the next step is to get in contact with a reputable licensed and preferably non-profit adoption agency.

When you receive your information from the agency, take your time and go through the information very carefully, because in the adoption process, you must follow the adoption agency’s guidelines to the letter.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to follow all the adoption agency’s instructions to the letter. Many prospective adoptive parents can get months down the path, only to find hat for some reason, they do not meet the agency’s criteria and have to start right back at the beginning again with another agency.

It can make the adoption process feel like playing snakes and ladders!

Something to keep in mind is that you should be prepared for the possibility of disappointment. Even though adoption agency’s try and make the process proceed as smooth as possible, due to the delicate nature of the process, sometimes problems can arise. And down the ladder you go.

In the case of private adoptions, the mother of the child can change her mind once the baby is born. Back to square one.

In the case of public adoptions, there often are not many babies or toddlers available for adoption, and some of the children who are available have come from broken homes, and in some cases have been exposed to violence and substance abuse, which could lead to them needing special attention.

But for all this, many people have negotiated the red tape and obstacles, and discovered the joy of parenthood and how being a parent can help you grow as a person.

In fact many of these special people go back and do it all again.

For more information, visit www.baby-adoption.co.uk

adoption

Legally, the act of adoption involves a person other than the natural parent of a child legally assuming the responsibility of parenting that child.

For an adoption to happen, one thing is of prime importance – the natural or biological parents have to voluntarily give up the responsibility of parenting their child, and the foster parents, i.e., the people who have stepped forward to assume that responsibility, have to agree to take care of the child. Child adoption is considered a noble deed, as it provides a parentless/homeless child an opportunity at a new life and a new home.

Who Facilitates an Adoption?

For an adoption to be a legally recognized process, there has to be an authorized body that oversees the entire process and facilitates it. Usually, an adoption is facilitated by an adoption agency. An adoption agency is an organization that provides adoption services to couples looking to adopt a child. This kind of an organization looks at the different aspects related to an adoption – verifying the appropriateness of the couple that is looking to adopt a child, the consent of the biological parent for the adoption, etc.

Why Adopt a Child?

There are a number of reasons for a couple to want to adopt a child. Child adoption or baby adoption is seen most commonly in a situation when the couple is unable to have their own children. This is what can be termed biological need. A couple may desperately want to have a child of their own, but may not be able to, due to a number of medical reasons. Such a couple would ideally look at adoption as a definite option.

There are some people who do not want to go through the process of childbirth, and such couples might find it to be easier and sometimes safer for the health of the mother to adopt a child rather than carrying a baby to term.

There are some people who carry inherited diseases in their DNA who decide not to pass these forward to their biological child. 

Then there are some other people who may tend to adopt children out of their humaneness. There are families in the US that have 5 to 10 children, all of them adopted. This kind of adoption is done only out of sheer love for life and compassion towards all that need caring.

adoption

With less stigma about unmarried mothers, readily available contraception and abortion there are fewer and fewer unwanted babies coming up for adoption.

This means that many adopters may consider older, disabled and emotionally damaged children. There are almost 80,000 children living in care in the UK, many could be available for adoption or foster care.

Many people are put off adoption by the months of intimate and intrusive questions about you and your partner’s personal lives. They check your suitability to be parents, there are home visits, there are police checks on you, your family, your friends and years spent on waiting lists. And years dealing with Social Services.

While no one wants a lax system that could bring vulnerable children into contact with dangerous people, there has to be a better way.

Perhaps if the adoption laws were made easier those thousands of children in care would get loving homes and get chance to be part of a family.

adoption