In my post earlier this evening I wrote about the importance of listening to and learning from adoptees. This idea was driven home by my social worker at our home study update visit a few weeks ago as she talked about the benefits that adoptive parents can gain from learning from the experiences of adult adoptees. Another area that we discussed was living in a racially diverse area. As many of readers know, my family is in the (very long) process of moving, and it hasn’t been an easy one.... more

During our home study update visit a few weeks ago, our social worker touched on a few subjects that continue to stand out in my mind. I respect the fact that she keeps current on adoption issues; attending conferences, classes and seminars, reading new material and speaking with all involved in adoption. So when she talks about adoption related issues, I listen. One of the points that she made was about the importance of listening to adoptees. She was sharing her excitement over the advantage that... more

Finally, we’re on the last step of the series of posts detailing each step of the Viet Nam adoption process. Of course, this isn’t really the end. Adoption education for us as parents, and for our children needs to continue and post placement reports only mark the end of the process in terms of paperwork and working with outside agencies.

When you adopt a child from Viet Nam, you agree to send post placement reports to Viet Nam for eighteen years to let them know how your child is doing in their new home and with their new family. Viet Nam requires only one post placement... more

CNN recently did a piece on their channel titled “Families in Adoption Limbo” that focused on a family who has been affected by the current state of Vietnamese adoptions. The French family adopted their son Oliver in Viet Nam, but was issued a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID,) meaning that the United States Embassy is not issuing him a visa to come to the United States. His parents have already adopted him and he has been in their... more

Although the winter holiday season is advertised as a glorious, warm, family centered time of peace and love, it can be the exact opposite for many people. The holidays make the loss of a loved one more poignant, financial problems rear their ugly heads amidst the commercialism of the season, and those waiting to bring their child home may feel depressed and lonely, even if they’re surrounded by family and friends.

Almost every adoptive family I know sets their hopes upon having their child home for the holidays. For some reason, bringing your new son or daughter home by December... more

Welcome to the Viet Nam Adoption Blog Roll. Any blog authors who write blogs concerning adopting from Viet Nam are more than welcome to join us over here. There is so much for us all to learn from each other, and blogs are an excellent medium in which to share our lives, experiences, families and memories of Viet Nam. Families at all stages of the adoption process who have blogs are encouraged to join our blog roll.

I plan to keep this list going and will repost it monthly as sites are added. If you would like to be added to the Viet Nam Adoption Blog Roll, please post your link in the comments section below or email me at rebeccah@adoptionblogs.com

If... more

We are continuing on with posts detailing the steps in the Viet Nam adoption process. Once your child has been adopted and you’re settling in to life at home, you will move on to the step dealing with the post placement medical exam. Shortly after coming home with your new child, you will need to take them for a complete medical exam with their new pediatrician. It’s a really good idea to find a doctor before you leave, so you can just call and make the appointment once you’re home. There are many pediatricians who now specialize in international adoption, but that doesn’t mean that’s who you need to, or should, go to. Any physician who you are comfortable with and is good with your child... more

We’re going through the steps in an adoption from Viet Nam, and now that you have traveled home, you’re onto the step of adjusting to life at home with your new child. It is a surreal and amazing experience to leave Viet Nam and step back into your life pre-child. Some family members and friends may expect you to be “back to normal” right away, but it will likely take a period of adjustment to get used to being a family in your home environment. Being in Viet Nam, with the house keeping, restaurants, laundry service and nothing to do but dote on your new cutie gets quiet addictive and it can be hard to... more

The Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) held a summit last week to discuss the current state and future of adoptions in Viet Nam. Representatives from adoption agencies, JCICS, the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) were in attendance. I blogged a bit about the response we got from our agency here, and now the JCICS has posted a summary of the summit on their website for the public to view.

The summit was a forum to discuss the current state... more

Now that you have had your Giving and Receiving Ceremony and have spent a couple of weeks in Viet Nam, your child’s visa will be issued and you will all be free to fly home! Traveling home with an infant, toddler or child will be a unique experience, and has the potential to be lovely and shockingly easy or so horrid and difficult that you will wonder how you can arrange it to just stay in Viet Nam.

Now that your hands will be occupied with a child and all their paraphernalia, try to check as much luggage as possible. It’s very easy to buy luggage in Hanoi if you need more space.... more