Mom Seeking Adoption Advice

Hi N., I have an adopted 2 year old boy! We went through attorneys in Indianapolis who specialize in adoption. They are execellent. Their name is Kirsh & Kirsh. It took about 14 months from start to finish. Are you in Indiana? I don't know if you know it, but the State of Indiana gives you a 10,000.00 tax credit for adoption, the year after you adopt! Let me know if I can be of any other help :) M.

Hi N.

We have expanded our family through adoption too!!! We have an open adoption with our birth parents and have developed a very strong relationship with them. We adopted our first daughter 2 years old as an infant. We are in the process of completing our second adoption with our 2nd daughter who is our oldest child's biological sibling. We have had wonderful experiences with both adoptions. We worked with Center for Family Building in Skokie - ###-###-#### in both adoptions. They take a different approach then the Cradle and St. Mary's, where the adoptive parents are invovled in the whole process. It just depends on which approach you are more comfortable with. I would recommend talking to as many adoptive parents as possible as everyone has a different story and helps you feel more comfort with what situation is presented to you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have. We love to share our stories!!!

L.

N.,

I was browsing through what other mamasource moms had to say to see if there was anything new I could add. I see another mom that posted had wonderful things to say about The Cradle in Evanston (with satellite offices throughout the suburbs). We adopted our daughter through them as well and had a 100% positive experience with them (no hidden fees and no surprises). We adopted through their Russian program, not domestic. We were about the second or third family that adopted from Russia because their program was brand new at the time. It took about 8 months from start to finish and I think it's because we got paperwork done and in quickly (being a teacher allowed me to focus on this solely during the summer). We landed back at O'hare on our daughter's first birthday, and she is now 4 yrs. old. I have to agree that The Cradle prepares you for thoroughly for the adoption process, parenting and adoption issues. It is also a fantastic source of support and friends long after the adoption process is over. I felt it was a difficult process in the way that there was always something else to do. Just take one step at a time, the end result is priceless! Good luck on your adoption journey.

N.

Hi N. B

My name is D. and my husband and I are in the middle of the adoption process. We have completed all the paperwork, did our homestudy and our finalizing our profile. We are currently working with a not-for-profit agency based in Oregon, but they have a local office in Glen Ellyn. It takes a lot of work and can be stressful at times, but hopefully in the end it will all work out. If you would like you can give me a call and I can answer any questions. We have not offically met any birthmothers yet. We decide to try the domestic first maybe international later.

Cell phone: ###-###-####

D. O

N. and other adopting moms... I just want to say comgratulations and let you know that breastfeeding your new baby is an option that you may not be aware of.

For more information please feel free to contact me.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
800 LACTATE

My husband and I have a wonderful 19 month old we adopted at 4 days old and we are in the process of adopting #2. What are your specific questions?

Hi N.. I would suggest making a scrapbook of pictures of you, your husband, and son so that the potential mom can get a feel for the love her child will receive from you. I am a birthmom and we have an open adoption. We see our child once every 4 months and have a great relationship with her parents. Our situation is unique and we are so blessed that it has worked out as well as it has. I wish you all the best! L.

We have two adopted children. My oldest turns five tomorrow and the youngest is 16 mos today. We went with the Cradle in Evanston and have been very happy. They are remarkable at education and know the laws of adoption inside and out. They've been doing it since 1923, I believe. Both are open adoptions. We met both birthmothers. Unfortunately, we have limited or no contact with them. With the my daughter, we had good contact and visits until her birthmom moved and didn't call us again with forwarding info. That was three years ago. My son's birthmom has called once and I send her emails and pictures. She has chosen not to have a visit yet, but the door is open.

What questions do you have? It is a wonderful thing adoption. It is not easy and can be expensive, but worth it.
K.

Hi N.,
I am the mother of a 20 month old son and I work for Catholic Charities of Chicago. I do domestic and international adoptions. I am more than happy to answer any of your questions as a mother and as an adoption specialist. You can feel free to call me if you would like as well. My number is ###-###-####.

Best wishes on your adoption journey.

C.

HI N.,
Good luck on your journey to adoption! We have a 22 month old daughter from China. If you are interested in international adoption - China in particular, please feel free to ask me any questions. Adoption is a wonderful thing - congratulations!!

I.
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Hi, N.! Congrats to you as you start your journey. I just wanted to tell you as an adopted child myself, you are doing a very selfless and wonderful thing by adopting a child who needs a loving home. The advice i can offer you is this: be honest when your child is old enough to understand. You will be the Mommy who stays up all night when your baby is sick. You will fix the boo boos and mend the first broken heart. You are the parent and no one can take that from you. I hope you have wonderful success and good luck to you. R.

N.,

My husband and I are currently in the process of adopting a son from South Korea. I am not sure from your message if you are planning to adopt domestically or internationally. If you are interested in the international process, feel free to drop me an e-mail at any time.

Best,

M.
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Hi N. --

We are also the parents of a two year old boy and in the process of adopting a little girl from Russia. We began the process last fall and are now waiting for the call that says they've identified a child for us to meet. I wasn't sure if you were looking to adopt internationally or locally, but if you want to talk more, let me know. We're adopting through Project Oz, an agency out of Ottawa, IL. We're really pleased with their work thus far.

T.