Advice on Adoption

I have a friend who has adopted two newborns through an agency called Antioch Adoptions. They are a non-profit organization and there is no cost to adopt if you meet all their qualifications. Look them up and maybe that will work for you.

Hi, J.;

My husband and I adopted our son from the birthmother with an attorney's help. We didn't have any agency at all, except those required (home inspection, the attorney took care of the rest of the legal stuff). It was/still is great. We didn't know her beforehand. She knew my sister and through got to know me and my husband. She asked us to adopt him and we contacted the baby before he was born. I was there to cut the cord and he has been with me since the very beginning. We have an open adoption as she lives in the same state. But he won't understand what adoption is for a few years, but he hears the word know and will never be blindsided years down the road. He will know that we all loved him and that's all that matters. It didn't cost us more than about $7,000 for the entire thing and a lot of that was travel costs across country at the time. I would say go for it. There are a lot of agencies/churches that know of pregnant women in that circumstance. GOOD LUCK and you're a wonderful person/family for loving all those children. It's never wrong to love children!

J., I can give you only our personal experience working with an agency. Our son who will soon be turning 15 was adopted at birth through Catholic Community Services in Tacoma. Sorry but they no longer do adoptions. Actually he was referred to Catholic Community Services through DSHS. Our daughter was also adopted at birth through the same agency but her referral came through New Hope but also sorry they have closed there adoption department also.
I can tell you we have open adoptions. We have constant communication with our children's birthfamilies and those that live locally we visit quite often.
Working with these agencies was very positive and the plus was all the counseling the birthfamilies received.
Let us know what you have decided and ask me anything about working with an agency.

I subscribe to a magazine and they list this website to help families find grants, and pay for the expense of an adoption, as well as navigate the process. The website is http://www.globalorphanoutreach.com/. Hope this is helpful.

J.,
I second the advice about doing an independent adoption with your lawyer. We have not done a domestic adoption, but our daughter was adopted from Guatemala. We were going to adopt again with a local birthmother, but she changed her mind.
If you want to e-mail me I can tell you everything we have learned about independent adoptions. It was very easy and the cost is also a lot less.
I would also be happy to tell you about our lawyer and social worker. They are wonderful, I really like our Social worker.
I am very new to this board, so I will leave my e-mail here. I don't know if it will show anywhere else for you to e-mail me. ____@____.com a great day. A.

AMARA (amaraparenting.org) is a good agency. We just adopted our first daughter through them. They are in Madrona neighborhood. There adoption fees are based on a percentage of your income which is nice for those of us not rolling in the dough. Good luck!

Check out Antioch Adoptions.

J.,
I don't know about now but 18 years ago Girls & Boys aid society worked on a sliding scale with qualified parents. It is a not for profit organization.

Hi J.,
We adopted locally through independent adoption. We had an attorney and a social worker. We did our own advertising. We were told this route would be about $5,000 less than going through an agency. Our first adoption was far less than an agency and the 2nd was just a little less. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Best wishes to you!!!
-L.

Have you thought of adopting a child from overseas? My friend did that with a disabled child who would not have survived much longer in India about 27 years ago and she has been a blessing in my friends life ever since. Her daughter has grown in to a wonderful young woman now. She is a great comfort and companion for her mom who lost her husband (the girls step father) a few years back. My friend was unable to bear a child of her own but this child has definitely become her own and she would defend that child to her death if necessary. Unfortunately I do not know the name of the agency that she went through but I'm sure you can find a very reputable one.

Not sure how well it works, but almost every newspaper I have seen has a section that says something like. Married couple want to give a baby a great home etc... and contact numbers.

My husband and I have a 3 year old son of our own and recently looked into adoption. We found a wonderful place that has free adoption. It is through the Antioch Bible church in Kirkland, WA and their mission is to find homes for the millions of orphans. The ages range from infants to older kids. I can't tell you any more because our first meeting with them is this Friday. But, you can find out a lot of information on their website antiochadoptions.org.

hi there,
not sure if you're drawn to adopting a girl from china. but our friends just did and it was a wonderful experience! if you're interested i'd be happy to connect you with them.

Our adoption took us overseas to bring home our son. My dear friend adopted through the foster system here in WA and just completed a private adoption through a Utah or California agency about 15 months ago. She was at the hospital during the birth. It's a little late tonight but I'll call her in the morning and see if I can reach her. She doesn't have internet at the moment of I'd send her the link to your post. Best of luck to you!

EDITED TO ADD: I spoke with my friend and the agency she used was Amara. She had a good experience with them. I hope that helps.

C. WAHM to 4 y/o virtual twins. Owner: www.BeHappierAtHome.com