Disappointing news!!!

Wow. Thats terrrible news. She must be heartbroken. Wish I knew the answer to your question. My gut feeling would be that its not just singles, but everyone right now. Im no one to give an opinion though, since we are just in the very beginning stages of adopting. I have no idea what Im doing!!!All of this is making me think that I should choose an easier country to deal with. I so want to try to pursue Ukraine, but everything seems so up in the air. Not to mention that from the thread I started.......it seems that so many people dont think much of this program. Maybe its that people just love to tell their negative experiences, and dont come forward as much with the positive stories???At any rate, we are going back on Monday for a one on one meeting with the director of the agency we went to a seminar on a month ago. Im dying to see what she has to say about all of this. Last month she had her attorney from Ukraine here in the US to give an info session. I wish I had gone now! We didnt because DH is not very turned on to this program at all, and wasnt interested in wasting a Saturday for it.I will be curious what others post here!

ChrisUkraine may not be for you if your husband is not that sure about it. If there's one thing I have learned in this whole process, it's that you both have to be absolutely committed to whatever country you choose. We adopted from UKraine in 2001, we have several problems in Country that arose from someone completely outside the whole adoption system. We were delayed from coming home for several weeks, but our agency finally pulled enough strings that we are now a family. Even after all that, we are going back again later this year. For us, we initially wanted a caucasian child, mainly from the point of view that we did not want him to have to explain why he didn't look like us and that he was adopted if he did not want to. I am from Eurpoe and so it seemed to make sense to adopt from there. Now it makes sense for both of our children to come from the same country. Yes, Ukraine (EE in general) can be very frustrating and we are using an agency in the hope that we have the back up system to help us out if we run into problems. However, our son has been a complete joy to everyone around us and we are so happy we chose Ukraine. Let's face it, if you want certainty, then go to Korea, they have a stable program that has been in place for years, it's much cheaper than EE and you don't even have to leave the US!!!!! Yes, people do tend to post the negative and people that are happy with their adoptions tend to move on with their lives and not look at these forums on a regular basis. At the end of the day, you have to choose what is right for you. There are several things you need to consider very carefully before making a decision. Good luck Jane

Thanks for giving your opinion. I totally understand that DH has to be on board 100% with whatever country we choose, and when we do decide it will be a mutual decision. The only things he isnt crazy about are the length of the trip, although he didnt realize that both of us dont have to stay the whole time (he just started a business and doesnt want to leave it for that long), and he was a little taken aback because the adopton director said that in Ukraine you may not be living in very good conditions (he thinks we will be sleeping in a hut or something!). This is why we are going back to the agency tomorrow.........to get more info.I also do realize that there are much easier countries to adopt from, but I want to make a decison based on where my heart is leading me too, and not just where it will be the quickest to get a child. Im not afraid of a little extra work and waiting.........I have been waiting 3 long years already.......to get what I really want. I have been doing tons of research and reading, and also trying to find people to talk to. I figure that as long as I am going into this with my head full of as much knowledge as possible, and with realistic expectations as to what to expect from this experience then I will be ok.Im just afraid because Ukraine seems to me to be unstable right now, and it seems that everyone has so many unanswered questions about what is happening. Maybe Im wrong about that. Like I said, I know that this may be a bit more difficult, and thats fine, but I would like to have a little reassurance that Im not going after something that cant happen.Thanks again,Chris

Chris My dh and I adopted two older siblings in 2004 from Ukraine, it it has been a wonderful blessing. Sure we have our problems but who doesn't. The children are well adjusted and the whole process went very smoothly. We were only gone a total of 16 days. Granted a lot is happening now and things are very uncertain, but do not give up hope if you've waited this long and if your heart is in it. My dh was very apprehensive regarding your husbands same issues and yes it is a concern, but we were fortunate and the regions we travel we not that inconvenient. What we must remember, we are spoiled and have more than what we need to survive. Matter of fact, we are in the process now (not sure what will happen) of going back to Ukraine to adopt their other sibling. We were suppose to be there for March, but as you know it isn't looking hopeful. But, we will not give up I believe the country will open its doors once again, soon! Keep praying and remain optimistic!

Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me so much hope to hear about people who have succeeded in bringing their kids home and are all doing well together.Wow. So you adopted 2 sibs and there is another??? How old are they? Its great that you are preparing to go back again. Hopefully this all will be straightened out quickly so everyone can keep moving on with their plans.What part of Ukraine were you in?

We adopted sister (age 7) and brother (age 5), they are now 8 and 7 (16 months apart) and their sister to be adopted is 10. It has been a joy and a wonderful challenge. We adopted from the terrific region of Kherson, way south of Kiev, close to the Black Sea. If I recall, it was a 15 hour train ride from Kiev!

Hey Zippyour son is from Kherson!!!!Jane

Jane, When did you adopt your son from Kherson? We adopted in July 2004. Were you pleased with the orphanage and the treatment of the children? We were very pleased considering what we were told about some areas. Our children were and are very healthy and it is amazing at some of the things they referred to that they were taught at the orphanage. The only bad thing, in our opinion, they watched too much TV, not unlike a lot of children here in America! That is pretty neat that our children are from the same area.

Zippy, I heard that siblings are not supposed to be separated at adoption in Ukraine... Did you know about all three of them when you adopted the first one? Are there more? Is there some kind of an arrangement where you knew you would be comeing back for the others? On the other hand, I also heard that people adopt more than one un-related children in one visit... Could you please temm em more about your experiences? Thanks, PB mom

Sorry to hear about your news, but do not give up hope. My wife and I were registered to adopt in May and are still waiting for a travel date. In early September Ukraine stopped accepting new dossiers from Americans. Supposedly it was due to people not completing post-adoption requirements. The government was also revamping how they handle adoptions. Anyway, our agency called 4 days ago and told us that their person in Kiev said the country was resuming adoptions this week. Our agency said they are thinking things should start moving more quickly now. So, maybe your dossier was returned while the country was closed. I would send it over again. But be sure to talk to your agency. You might want to find out if the new adoption guidelines say anything about singles. I will pray.

Hi! Can you pm the agency you used for your 2004 adoption process? Thanks!

Thank you for your input....you're probably very right on your assessement of the situation..... ...I'm sure my friend will re submit her dossier....and I am hoping that she will finally find and adopt the children that she has yearned for....after all this time....it really has been tremendously exasperating for her in quite a few ways.... We are both deciding to go independently.....though I am torn in regards to hosting...esp from the Kharkov region....We are both single...DF...hopefully Ukr will not consider this to be negative...although they have expressed concern regarding single parents. Historically, due to much warefare in EE the majority of men were killed and the child rearing...along with other major responsibilities was assumed by a mother or other female figure/s.... Olga....."O"

PB, We went to Ukraine in the hopes of adopting 2 older siblings (ages 3-5). When we got there, the NAC had olny a few older (9-11) boys. We had our hearts set on younger children, but were willing to consider any ages. But as we continued looking my husband fell in love with a little girl, age 8. I personally wanted two children, but for some reason, God only knows, she stole my husband's heart. We decided to pursue her and they called the orphange to find out about her and make an appointment to meet her and believe it or not, the Director said she had a brother, age 5. Unfortunately, the NAC did not have his paperwork attached to hers like they should have for siblings. After a couple hours or research and nerve racking waiting the NAC was able to come up with his paperwork. We traveled to meet the children and fell in love immediately. While we were doing the normal paperwork we came across a glitch. There was another sibling, at a different orphanage (older children go to schools). Her paperwork was not in order so we could not adopt her and besides we did not have permission from U.S. to adopt more than 2. Things happen for a reason. Therefore, we are traveling back to complete our family.