question for those who have been over there

I am not sure if Ukraine would be right for you or not. Many families are having to go back to the adoption center multiple times before they can find a healthy child. There may be no children available that fit your criteria on your first NAC visit. Then, you would have to wait until you can get another appointment to go back and hopefully find a child that has just come off the databank. It is unlikely that you will have a choice at all, chances are that on any given day, there will only be one child that comes close to the age or sex that you want, unless you want an older child.Even in countries where you can preselect your child prior to traveling, I doubt you are going to find anywhere that's going to give you a choice of 10 children.

thanks for responding. Yes, I do realize that in most other countries you don't get a choice at all. Which in some ways would probably be easier. In domestic adoption there is no choice either, the only difference is that you have the chance to grow into the child, instead of suddenly having a older child that definitely has his own personality. I love children, but there are some that are hard to like right away. And I would never want my child to feel that from me. Maybe if they're yours, it doesn't matter-you immediately love them. I guess we'll just have to decide if this is the right thing for us. Thanks again, Deb

To DebSu, I don't know how far along in the process you are but you agency should be able to help you too. We were worried about the process as well but our agency really helped us along with other couples already adopting from Ukraine. We traveled in Fall of 02 and came home with two adorable boys. You really have to trust what is in your heart and what you want. Not an easy decision. I must say we were at the NAC twice. We had to say no to the first child after meeting but found the two that were meant for us. Some how it really will work out for you. Good luck with your decisions. Lisa

Deb,You don't say what age/gender/health of child you are willing to parent. This information makes a huge difference in the answer to your question.Hannah

We're looking at 2-6, preferably boy, or a sibling group up to about 8 years. Since we are first time parents, we'd rather not get into the almost or teenage years until we at least have parented a bit. And, if we go over there, we may decide on an age we hadn't expected. We're open to what is right for our family. Deb

I think your criteria definitely give you the hope that you would find a child to bring home. I don't think anyone knows how different adoptions in Ukraine are going to be by this time next year. Hopefully things will be much better. It takes so long to work your way through the process of an International Adoption that it's hard to gauge how any Country that you choose will be operating by the time you travel.