Best friend traveling to China to adopt their little boy and I need help

[Anonymous]

Google Chinese adoption - lots of special ideas, such as the 100 wishes quilt and other cool gifts. Treat it as a normal birth vs. focusing on the adoption part but that is so nice of you to put so much thought into them. We did domestic but a friend sent us cookies through an online company to our hotel which we were stuck at for three weeks. My favorite gift. She also tried to arrange a dinner out at a local place but we were in the middle of know where and couldn't figure it out. I thought that was much nicer than stuff.

[Anonymous]

OT but how were they able to be placed with a boy from China?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OT but how were they able to be placed with a boy from China?

There are boys up for adoption in China.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OT but how were they able to be placed with a boy from China?

There are boys up for adoption in China.

Do they (the baby boys) usually have a disability if they are put up for adoption?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or how about a book on black market babies?

Only if it tells us how to sell you away on the black market.

[Anonymous]

You either wait the 5-7 years or you do a special needs adoption that could be a very minor to no issue or very serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give a few books on attachment issues.

Go away. As an adopted kid here I can tell you that at 26, I have zero attachment issues. Guess what? Not all adopted kids are messed up and have issues. I am extremely thankful everyday to have been adopted by my amazing parents, and I'm thankful my birth parents chose adoption because they could not give me the life they thought I deserved. I really wish people would stop making the assumption that adopted kids have problems. Some do, some don't. It's not a universal thing.

ANYWAYS, congrats to your friends OP. They must be thrilled. I second the baby-proofing idea. I also think that stocking up their house with some perishables and frozen meals is a great suggestion. My parents had a few days notice about my adoption (were called on a Friday that my birth parents had picked them out of a portfolio (closed adoption) and they picked me up on Tuesday) and one of my dad's fondest memories of that time was leaving work on Monday afternoon and his car being completely covered in pink things with a huge sign saying "It's a girl". Remember, your friends haven't experienced the same thing that biological parents do "baby shower, registering, having people comment on the pregnancy etc" so I think the "welcome home baby" signs are really appreciated.

That just made me cry. That is wonderful!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OT but how were they able to be placed with a boy from China?

There are boys up for adoption in China.

Do they (the baby boys) usually have a disability if they are put up for adoption?

Not always.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OT but how were they able to be placed with a boy from China?

There are boys up for adoption in China.

Do they (the baby boys) usually have a disability if they are put up for adoption?

Not always.

Is there a preference by the adoption agencies to place the children with parents of Chinese heritage, or Chinese immigrants, when placing them with American families?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about giving them a gift of a few weeks housecleaning or meal delivery service? The early weeks will be a busy adjustment period, and meals or cleaning might give them more time to focus on their new addition. More practical than sentimental I realize...

Now, THAT is an awesome idea! Any recommendations? They live in Capital Hill. I could have the house deep cleaned during the two weeks they are away.

You better ask first - most welcome cleaning, but on their own terms. I can't imagine wanting my house deep cleaned by strangers while I was gone.

[Anonymous]

just let it be and ask a few weeks after they have arrived. No use everyone jumping at once

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If anything, business class is more than sufficient. First class is just a waste.

You never flew overseas, right?

[Anonymous]

I vote for a laundry service for the upcoming weeks. I would have loved to have someone handling the laundry for me while we got used to the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OT but how were they able to be placed with a boy from China?

There are boys up for adoption in China.

Do they (the baby boys) usually have a disability if they are put up for adoption?

Not always.

OP here. Thanks everyone. The child will be 18 months, and he does have disabilities. Two club feet, and undiagnosed issues with both hands. They plan on having corrective surgeries for the little guy after consultations here in the US. I have seen pictures of him, and he is adorable. He was in an orphanage, but is now with a family in a province pretty far from a major city (can't remember which.)

I ended up putting together a bag for the trip home (tiny abacus, mustela no rinse cleanser, things for the flight for mom and dad), and I will have the house deep cleaned during the two weeks they are away, and a meal service their first week back. That way, I have something for before child comes, during the flight, and after he arrives.

We all already contributed to the 100 wishes quilt, and they have everything else practical they need. I am also giving them two boxes of boy's clothes ages 12 months-2 years, as they have no idea what size he is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If anything, business class is more than sufficient. First class is just a waste.

You never flew overseas, right?

I've flown overseas many times. Have you been in business and first class? I have.