quick clicks

iparenting adoption articles

iparenting adoption q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Go the Distance

Exploring International Adoption

Part One

By Michele St. Martin

Like Harper, Harrah and his wife, Jackie, embarked on professional careers in international adoption after personal experiences. "A very expensive adoption agency refused to talk with us about adoption from China other than to tell me, 'You are too old, and China says you are too old.'" says Harrah, who was approaching 59 at the time. He soon learned that the agency had given him incorrect information. Not only have the Harrahs successfully adopted two daughters from China, they founded Harrah Family Services, specializing in Chinese adoption. Their program is one of the country's most respected.

Word of mouth is one way to select any adoption agency, though it's important to note that just because an agency did a good job for a friend doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Adoption professionals advise you to research your options and contact every agency you're interested in to obtain their information packets. The Internet has a wealth of adoption information; you should be able to do your initial screening from your desk chair! Study the information carefully, and narrow down your search to a few agencies. Interview those agencies to make your final choice. If the agencies you're interested in aren't local, the agency should be receptive to a telephone interview.

Read Part Two here.

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• My Daughter Is in China: Our Decision to Adopt
• Who Am I? The Importance of Racial and Cultural Identity
• Transracial Adoptions: Outside Reactions to Your Family
• Talk about it!