Interesting Program to Adopt from Russia

kok1922 · 07-21-2004, 07:23 PM

Hi

I've always been interested in adoption so I'm a "lurker" on this board alot. I came across a really wonderful article in NY Long Island newspaper, "Newsday".

It is about brining over older children for a trial 3-week run to determine if a family wants to adopt (supposedly, the children think its camp but word must get around to the kids) and most children are successfully adopted in the end.

I thought others might like to learn about it.

Kelly

http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-p2t...,3209921.story

jen-duck · 07-21-2004, 10:13 PM

thanks for the post.
I've heard about that "kind of" program-
I think they even do that once in awhile- in MN-
across the states.

I know it was hard when we went to visit joel last year.
We had him for 6 days- and it was the HARDEST thing
in the world to give him back to the hogar- and the months
dragged on and on- (we didn't HAVE to go visit- but we did- I couldn't stand not meeting him in person- and i'm glad because then I got to see him at 7 1/2 months- instead of meeting him for the first time at 13 months. HOW he changed...) It's the hardest part of the adoption process- for those that need to meet the child first- then leave them- and wait- some only need to wait a few weeks- while others it's MONTHS ....

Adoption is not easy- many people think- oh- they get a child- sign papers- and there they go- instand family- NOT TRUE_
the heartache and pain.. and the waiting- and then
if the child doesn't come to you right away- oh the heart-

first time we went to visit joel- he LOVED me- didn't want daddy- then on the gotcha trip- he HATED me- only wanted DADDY- and it took him until we came back to MN- and then about 3-5 days later- he finally let me hold him- oh my heart..

but now- he gives me kisses- and forces the kisses- will take my head in his hands- and plant a big sloopy wet one- right on my lips and then bear hugs- OH the bear hugs...

thank you again- i just babbled now didn't I?? OH WELL

i'm in heaven- being home with MY SON

jen

EmilyE · 07-22-2004, 02:31 AM

I've heard about it, and I know a family who hosted a girl from Kazakhstan on a similar program (different agency, same idea).

Honestly, I think it's a good idea, but I see potential for problems in two ways: If you and your hosted child "click" in those 3-6 weeks, you still have to send that child back to Russia for an indeterminate length of time while you get paperwork etc. straightened out. How heartbreaking. And, if you and your hosted child don't "click," the child could be very disappointed if things don't work out (and you can bet they know the purpose of the program; they aren't clueless).

Still, it's an interesting idea. At very least, it gets the kids out of the orphanages for a little while (I've worked in Russian and Ukrainian orphanages. They're usually quite depressing.)

Emily