Is the "need" for afamilies a myth?

Im not sure if i have any helpful info for you, but I know when we were working on an adoption previously, the bmom we were working with (hispanic/AA) only had two portfolios to choose from at her TX agency, while the causcasion bmoms there would have had over 40. She did not feel comfortable with either choice, so they called our agency (in another state, asking for waiting families.) Im not sure that healthy AA babies would go unadopted, but it makes me sad that all the moms dont have the same options. As far as your situation, the wait, and you already having bio kids, I think that only depends on the birthmom, and what she feels is the ideal situation for her and the baby. Good luck-r

My daughter is having a biracial baby in May. When we started our search for an adoptive family, we were limited to the number of families that were willing to take and AA/Biracial baby. You can do the search yourself on some of the adoption sites and see the number of results you get. I will admit that at first, she was hoping to find a Biracial couple to adopt, but there weren't any that met her criteria of Open Adoption (I know, not everyone is fond of Open Adoption). We received profiles from two different agencies and oddly enough, she chose a caucasian family that had 3 bios and 1 special needs through DSS. Their faith and love of "family" is what drew her to them.

I can tell you that for us it was very easy to adopt an AA baby with special needs. Our son was exposed to drugs and alcohol in the first trimester. We were the only family to inquire about him and he was placed with us 2 days after his birth. We started out in a public agency (DSS) and it would have been years before we found a baby. When we changed to our private agency I asked them point blank, "how much longer are we going to have to wait?" We were looking for a newborn, AA or biracial, with most physical special needs or some exposure to drugs and alcohol. So not a serious special need. we were told it would be a matter of a few months. We were matched with one mother right away, that baby was born and her parents decided to raise her. Then within a week we took home our son. So it isn't impossible. And you have to just be patient. But it will happen. For us we wanted a child who was harder to place and we even asked to not be considered for children unless we were the only family willing to be considered. And it was rather easy. So keep your chin up and good luck.

You pose a thoughtful point about agencies 'collecting' profiles of families. Lately, I've called one agency that had posted about a situation, and they told me that they felt they had 'received enough profiles for their posted situations....but would like to have more on file'. I didn't care for this response as it seemed that the postings were indeed posted for 'collecting more profiles'. We have adopted many times....many different races, countries, etc. Our youngest is AA. Our waiting time wasn't long at all.....but we have already waited longer this time than the first. However, we are requesting certain conditions this time....and we anticipated that we would have a longer wait. (We've never requested these before.) I think, as someone else stated, that the preference of children already in the family, varies from birthfamily to birthfamily. We already had children (older and several years from babydom) when we submitted for another baby......we are caucasian looking...yet we were chosen over other couples....one at least that was bi-racial---according to our caseworker. The birthmother of our baby wanted the type of homelife we had. I think there is a need. But, I also think these situations (and I mean adoption in general) come in cycles. Just hang in there. Your baby will come when the timing is right...........though I know from personal experience that it's hard to wait! Sincerely, Linny

I am also questioning the truthfulness of the supply/demand ratio stated by many adoption agencies. My husbanad and I adopted a beautiful AA boy 19 months ago when he was 5 days old. Now we are in our second adoption process and have been waiting a while. We were contacted by a TX agency that an AA BM was considering us and that we were the only couple to be considered. We later found out she did in fact have another couple to look at and chose them. It was heartbreaking for us but was it omission of truth or bending the truth? I suppose we'll never know. We're aren't specifying a single thing, not gender, etc. So why is it taking so long? I want our future BM to do what's best for her and her baby but what is the reality on demand for C adoptive parents for AA children?

Hi, We are also waiting in Ne. we have been looking for three years, and Yes it is very frustrating! We are also foster parents in mid west Ne. but our accepted age range of cjildren hinders us some 3 and under. We are hoping to adopt an african american , hispanic or bi-racial baby. We are very comfortable with our decision and are waiting for the right situation in the right cost range for us. But we do know where you are all coming from it is discouraging.... I just keep hoping that a Life Mom will find our family appealing for her and her child. Good luck to all! S & T