"So, when are your girls from Haiti coming home?"

I hear this question nearly every time I leave my house. There are days that I don't even want to go out in public, for fear I will see someone I know, and then hear this question. I understand that people are just trying to be supportive and interested. However, it only reminds me that my girls are very far from me and that I have zero control over what happens to them.

In the beginning of the adoption, I tried to be upbeat and positive. I would respond with a smile and a chipper attitude, "In about a year!" As time passed, my attitude soured. After I met my girls and my love for them blossomed and deepened, the questions... more

Continued from Part One...

In October of 2006, a new IBESR director was assigned. Her name is Madame Beaudin, and so far she has improved the process in IBESR and signed out hundreds of files.

The new hang-up is now with Civil Court. Adoption files are getting stuck there for months. Who knows what the reasons are? Civil Court was recently vandalized. They say they need time to clean-up before they can get back to signing files out. In Haiti, that could mean just about anything.

I have heard that files have been held up due to pride, stubbornness, and possible lack of bribes. If you ever travel... more

Probably the most common question we have received during our Haitian adoption is, “Why does it take so long?”

I recently received the comment from Thomasina:

Wendy,

I'm following your story with great interest. Somehow, though, I missed the part where you talk about why the government of Haiti (or whoever) is drawing this process out for you and your children. Why can't you go and get them? Please link me to your blog entry where you explain. Sorry for my naiveté about such things and best of luck to you!

After reading her comment, I realized that there may be many of you who do not understand why it can take so long to adopt... more

Continued from Surviving the Wait--Part Two...

If you already have children at home, then your waiting will be different. In some ways, it will not be as difficult as it is for those without children. You will be busy with the children already home. You will feel just as worried for your new child and be just as desperate to get them home, but you will also have children to cuddle and love and keep you on your toes. Part of your wait will... more

Continued from Surviving the Wait—Part One…

Here are some things one could do to make the waiting more bearable, if you do not already have children at home:

1. Get the new child’s room ready. This might include cleaning out a room already in use. You may want to paint or wallpaper the room, and choose an appropriate bedding set. You may need to buy a crib or new bed, put up new curtains, shampoo the carpet or refinish wood flooring. This project... more

One of the drawbacks to Haitian adoption is the length of time it takes to complete an adoption and have your child home. It seems that many international adoption programs have been getting longer, as well. The difference between other programs and the Haiti program, is how you wait.

Once you have a completed adoption dossier (and sometimes before), you are presented with the referral of a child. Then your paperwork begins its long journey in the Haitian system. With many other international programs, the long... more