adopting older children..

[Redmocha]

We adopted a sibling group. It's been a blessing as well as a challenge. Wouldn't change a thing. It's so funny how people are amazed they are adopted. God really put them where they belonged.

[Barn Princess Tonya]

We've adopted 6 kids out of foster care. We were foster parents for 10 years and were honored to parent 45 kiddo's.

Our oldest was 4 when we matched. His transition was pretty smooth with no real issues.

Child #2 was placed with us when he just turned 3. He was to be a "3-6 month placement". He's 12 now and has been adopted for 7 years. He was a tad clingy for a while, but that's calmed down now.

Child #3 was a 'Respite Kid". We met him when he was 3 and had him for the weekend a few times. He dropped out of our lives for a year or two as the foster Mom had a friend do respite for him. Then he went up for adoption when he was 6. He got matched with another family, but before he went to them he was back doing respite with us. He even asked us to adopt him before he was matched with the other family. That family blew up about 2 months in. They forgot to tell DFS that they didn't believe in ADD or the meds and took him off of them cold turkey. After a trip to the psyche ward and a group home we found out that he was back in care and we brought our baby home. He is black, 7 years old and had a lower IQ, many letters after his name like "RAD, ODD". We figured that no one else would take him, so we would. Has it been easy? Heck no. He lies, steals and even accidentally set the kitchen on fire once. BUT...there's progress. Every day is a tad better than the one before. While I generally fear for his future, I know that I'll be there for the long haul.

Child #4 was matched with us when she was 4 months old. She was in a foster home that had her in daycare form 6 AM until 6 PM. She has some attachment issues at age 6, but we're to the point there we think it could just be who she is.

Child #5 was a severe drug baby who we brought home fromt he hospital. She's a pot-stirrer, but smart as a whip!

Child #6 is Child #5's first cousin. We got him because we have an open adoption with Child #5. The family asked us to take him. He's turning 4 this month and well....he's all boy. Thankfully he's Momma's Baby!

Will we adopt more? I don't know. Number 5 and 6 have Moms who are still of child bearing age. All of the others have parents who are in their 40's and 50's. I also have a BFF who is dying of cancer. She has 5 adopted kids and I would take them if/when her sister realizes she can't parent them.

Have you checked out the forums at foster parents . com ? (Take out the spaces)

[Dot]

We are in the middle of an international adoption....special needs from China. We've asked for a girl age 1-5 with a long list of special needs we feel prepared to handle.

We are approved by immigration, and if all things go smoothly we might be matched by the middle of March. We're hoping to travel this summer to bring her home.

We've been at this for a year now, and there have been many bumps in the road, but we finally feel like this is going to happen after many years of dreaming of adoption.

[erinalexmom]

I havent adopted personally but I have been a missionary in Jamaica in an orphanage and I can say that I have nothing but admiration for those who adopt. When we would hold the babies and put them down they would scream because the physical affection had ment so much to them. Heartbreaking