Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

Many readers of this blog are currently considering adopting from Viet Nam. What would you like to say to them?

The Engelbrecht Family - I was extremely impressed with the quality of the orphanges in VN. The children all seemed very well cared for.

Christina - First, congratulations! It’s an incredible gift and a blessing to adopt a child from Vietnam. Second,... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

Did you re-adopt your child in your home state? Can you please talk about your decision to do or not do so?

The Engelbrecht Family - We are in the process of re-adopting. This was the best way to change her name in our state.

Christina - Yes, we re-adopted. We wanted our kids to have an American birth certificate because it helps with other citizenship documents... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

Have you encountered any rude/nosy/disrespectful comments or questions about your family? If so, how did you handle them?

The Engelbrecht Family - So many people ask if we can conceive. I just say that she is what we've always wanted.

Christina - Nothing overtly rude or disrespectful. We live in an area that is pretty diverse... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

How did your child adjust to their new life in the US?

The Engelbrecht Family - She adjusted very easily. She is just very adaptable

Christina - I was amazed at how well Zeeb adjusted to his new life. It wasn’t instant perfection of course, but considering how many changes he had to deal with and just all the chaos of coming... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

Can you talk about how your parent-child bond formed/changed from the time you first met until today?

The Engelbrecht Family - Sienna was very easy to bond with. She formed bond before we left Viet Nam and she has just deepened those. She 'checks in' a lot and looks for support now.

Christina - When I first met Zeeb, I thought... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

If your child bonded quickly to one parent over the other (in a two parent home,) how did you encourage bonding with the other parent?

Christina - Zeeb bonded more easily to my husband, I think maybe because he had been so attached to his foster mother and sister. Also my husband didn’t get as stressed by things and I think Zeeb sensed that. Once we... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

What would you recommend to families to foster attachment between parent and child?

The Engelbrecht Family - Skin-to-skin contact. A lot of playful interaction.

Christina - Hold your child as much as you can, be the one to feed him and provide for his needs, try to keep things predictable and routine, as much as possible. While... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

What are some of your favorite memories of your time in Viet Nam?

The Engelbrecht Family - Cyclo rides, Hoa Long Bay, trip to our daughter's province

Christina - The best parts were the times when Zeeb was happy and smiling and having fun, even if the kids were just playing with toys in our room or on the hotel playground. But... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

Can you offer some advice to parents about the plane ride home with their new child?

The Engelbrecht Family - Make sure you get a bassinet but be prepared for your child not to like it. Take a lot of extra clothes (Sienna rarely spit up and had never had diarrhea, but she did on the plane-she came home in a twice used pair of pants and a cardigan with... more

Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews : An Introduction

What do you suggest parents–to–be purchase in advance for their child?

The Engelbrecht Family - If you may be traveling in the winter-take sweatsuits, etc for your child. Vietnamese want the children to be warm and temps in the 60's for us is very COLD to them. Definitely take meds with your for your child-you never know if you can get English labels.... more