Adopting two siblings/unrelated

IF you can find an agency who is willing to let you adopt two unrelated children at one time, my understanding is that you have to pay 2 country fees. Several agencies I have spoken to will decrease the 2nd agency fee....but really the only thing you are going to be saving money on is the travel expenses. I have had a VERY hard time finding an angency who will place 2 unrelated children at the same time. If you are single it's almost impossible. BUT do not let them lie to you! LOTS of agency have their own little rules and agendas and they will tell you that something is against Country policy, when it is just against THEIR policy. I've had several agencies tell me that VN has a ratio on singles like China has...LIE! I've also had several agencies tell me that VN doesn't allow the adoption of 2 unrelated children...LIE! There are a couple of agencies out there who will...I'm still trying to find one that will allow a single woman though. Best of Luck!!

The agency I'm with will allow you to adopt two unrelated children at once. The only stipulation is that the kids have to be at 3 years apart. So you can adopt a toddler and a baby. This rule is set by my agency. VN doesn't have such a rule in regards to the age difference. Yash

Can someone PM if you are comfortable sharing the name(s) of agencies allowing unrelated sibling adoptions. DH are I are thinking about two as well. Thanks. Tricia

My husband and I are also interested in adopting two children at once, related or not. I contacted one agency about this a month or so ago and they finally just got back to me. All they told me was that they discourage it because it can put too much of a strain on your relationship with your kids and your marriage. We contacted a second agency this week about it and still haven't heard back. Kind of frustrating. If anyone knows anything, please feel free to PM me. Thanks,Megan

Thank you all for your input. I agree, it's difficult to find an agency to work with you, but anything is possible. I would love to know what agencies you are all using to help me figure out who I should go with. Any information would be great! Please PM me!

I completely understand the desire to adopt two at once, and my husband and I were strongly considering adopting 2 from Vietnam 5 years ago before we ended up having twins naturally (surprise)! Now that we are looking into adoption again, we are wrestling over whether we will ask for twins (especially if we decide on Ethiopia, where they are common) or one. If you are seriously considering two, it's a good idea to spend time with infant twins if you haven't already (any parent of twins will be thrilled to have the help, trust me!). I have wanted twins my entire life and feel so blessed to have had them, but it can be utterly exhausting and overwhelming. Through reading, talking to other moms, taking care of my first daughter and friends' children, I thought I totally knew what to expect, but I was absolutely bowled over by the experience. Add to that working through attachment issues, and it might be even more challenging. The concern that two could put a strain on marriage, mental health, finances, etc. is valid. I am in no way trying to encourage anyone not to adopt 2- there are so many children who need homes, and 2 at once can be absolutely magical. Obviously it has wonderful aspects, or we wouldn't be considering it again! Mom of 3 Hoping to start the adoption process next year

Anyone have any experience or thoughts on adopting 2 unrelated children (2-3 years apart in age) who were in the same orphanage and prepared for being adopted together? I'm looking at an orphanage in Africa that will only allow children adopted in pairs, but they do a lot of preparation with them, and the children's ages are generally spread out.