The Viet Nam adoption community is going through a tough time right now. NOIDS (notice of intent to deny) have been issued, a province has been temporarily stopped from referring children for adoption, and there will be a summit held next Wednesday to address all of this. Now, more than ever, prospective adoptive... more

The home visit that is part of all home studies is the one thing that most prospective adoptive parents (paps) worry about. Those who have been through a home visit already will reassure them that it’s really nothing to worry about, but I know from personal experience that those reassurances did little to calm my anxiousness. We were supposed to have our home study update visit yesterday, but our social worker had to reschedule. I’ll be sure to update once we reschedule, but for now I thought I’d spend some time going over how you can prepare for your home study.

Make sure your house is presentable,... more

This week I’ve been writing about the realities that many adoptive parents face after returning home with their new little one. For my family, the calm ease of Viet Nam was a complete contrast to our life once we got home. Once we got back to the daily grind (but now with an infant!) I was shocked at how difficult it was to transition into life as a family of three at home.

Through my own experience and talking to other adoptive families, I have learned that being prepared is the number one tip when it comes to making life a little easier after you come home with your child. Getting your home and home life in as much order as possible before coming home will help you ease into family... more

Completely in love one minute? Weepy the next? Then frustrated out of your mind before you can even realize why? You just may be one of the many, many adoptive parents adjusting to life at home with their new child. In Vietnamese adoptions, adoptive parents stay in Viet Nam for a period of approximately three weeks. That is certainly enough time to get used to a different way of life, and returning home can be starling and leave you feeling conflicted more often than not.

Most of our first days home are a complete blur to me. I definitely think that sleep deprivation and jet... more

Coming home after spending multiple weeks in Viet Nam can be difficult. Of course, it is a huge relief to finally be home and able to officially start your new life as a family, but it can be really stressful too. In Viet Nam we didn’t have to cook, clean, drive, work or do laundry. We had practically unlimited time to figure out this parenting thing and do nothing but spend time with one another. Within a day or two of being home, the hugeness of being a parent really hit me and it took months for me to figure out a good groove for all of us to function in.

I was completely shocked... more

We did not purchase travel insurance when we traveled to Viet Nam to adopt Ella, but Sandra’s post reminded me that it’s something I wanted to look into for this adoption. Honestly, the only reason we didn’t get it last time was because I just could not wrap my head around researching another thing. I was curious about travel insurance and the necessity of it, so I did a little digging and here’s what I found.

Before leaving, travelers should contact their medical insurance companies to see what is (and is not) covered when you’re outside of the country. Also be sure to ask about coverage... more

It can be extremely easy to over-pack when flying to another continent for a two to three week stay. Many parents to be worry that they will not be able to find the essentials for themselves and their new child(ren,) so they literally pack everything but the kitchen sink. We over-packed in a few area; Ella’s clothes and food and snacks for us. Here are some tips to avoid over-packing:

Find out about your hotel’s laundry service. Ours was excellent and affordable. We could have gotten by with half the amount of clothing we brought. Actually, my husband brought about... more

My number one piece of advice for air travel with a child is be prepared. The next best suggestion I can offer is to be flexible. In this post I’m going to share some ideas that may help when you fly home from Viet Nam with your new child. The being flexible part rests squarely on your shoulders, but try to take a deep breath and remind yourself that this trip home is necessary to begin your new life together as a family.

Try and get a bulk head seat. This seating option is fabulous and made out trip home with Ella so much easier! Most airlines will not let you reserve bulk head... more

The term NOID conjures up fear in adoptive parents. NOID stands for Notice of Intent to Deny and the notices are handed down from the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) to inform parents that the USCIS is intending to deny their child’s visa to enter the United States.

NOIDS are issued when a child does not meet the USCIS’s criteria for orphan status. Sometimes paperwork is filled out incorrectly or only partially completed by agency staff or provincial employees and a red flag is raised, other times the means in which a child was relinquished or referred is brought into question. The... more

Due to the importance of working only with agencies that are licensed by Viet Nam to conduct Vietnamese adoptions, I’m once again listing the adoption agencies that are currently licensed. It seems that more and more non-licensed agencies are partnering up with or working under the umbrella of a licensed agency. If you are a prospective adoptive parent (PAP,) please, please, please do the research and only work with agencies that have been licensed to conduct adoptions in Viet Nam. Granted, that lovely license absolutely does not guarantee ethical or sound practices, so PAPs must be on their toes with their eyes and ears open.

Here are some posts of mine about how to choose an adoption... more