FAQ

So how does Holt International Agency's Thailand program work?
Keep in mind this is our program (we have requested a healthy girl between the ages of 6 mo and 36 mo) and there are other Thailand programs and other children available. Here are my responses to FAQ.

How long does it take?
From initial application to picking up the child was estimated at 21-24 months when we applied. Due to China backlogs and other countries closing their program, we are looking at possibly 24-28 months process. This estimate changes based on the number of referrals Holt gets each quarter and how many people have requested a girl so the big thing here is be flexible. We're number 30 on the list as of today. We hope for a referral in Dec 2009.

How old will the child be when I bring her home?
Thailand has infants to older children available. An infant usually comes home at about 12-14 months old. We could receive a child between 6 mo and 36 mo.

Can I request a boy or girl?
Unlike neighboring China, boys are more prevalent for adoption in Thailand. Families who do not have children must be open to either gender. Families may state they strongly prefer one or the other gender but it doesn't guarantee anything. Families who have only boys may request a girl and choose to wait longer for her. This is what we did. Families who have only girls may request a boy or specify they are open to either gender. Families open to gender are matched to their child faster.

What is the child's profile?
Children are considered to be healthy and developmentally on track for their age. They are living in foster care rather than orphanages. From what I've seen the foster families truly love these little kids and many have been fostering for years. I've seen their faces on videos from families who adopted - they can't fake that love.

What medical care do the children receive?
Children receive regular medical checkups and immunizations. They are also tested for HIV, HEP B.

Why are the children available for adoption?
Normally, the birth mother is relinquishing the child for adoption because she and/or her family are not able to care for the infant when she is born. Unlike China, there are no rules which limit the number of children parents may have. It's basically similar to healthy infant adoption in the US.

Do you go to Thailand to pickup the child? Is Thailand safe?
Yes - both parents must travel for 8-12 days. It is safe. Things can happen anywhere so obviously, we'll be careful.

What's the in-country trip like?
Most people seem to get to Thailand a day or two early to get acclimated to the time change and plan for any travel delays. Day 3 - Parents meet and spend time with the child, Day 4 - parents spend time with the child and travel to the foster home, Day 5 - Parents pickup the child forever. After reading about transfer of attachment, I realize this process is a blessing. While emotionally and sometimes physically draining on everyone involved, it allows the child to see the foster mom giving her permission to go with and love these new foreign people who we call Mom and Dad. Day 6-7 - The new family goes before a Thailand Board of 3 people to answer questions regarding why they want to adopt. The rest of the trip is spent getting the child's VISA to travel home.

Are you taking Matt and Mark with you to Thailand?
Yes - Matt will be 11 and Mark will be 9 when we travel. This will be a trip of a lifetime for all of us. I would not want them to miss it. Also, I think that it will help Mia to be more comfortable around us seeing other children. Children have a way of relating to children which parents can't pull off. Not to mention, I think it will be important the boys see firsthand where she's from and how she has lived her life. And they get to miss 2 weeks of school if the timing is right so they're completely pumped!

How long is the flight?
It's about 24 hours plus 11 hour time change. Bangkok is 11 hours ahead of KY. So net 35 hours to get there and 13 to get home!

This is about the time people ask - Are you crazy?
Absolutely! 100%!! But we are also 100% in love with this country which we have never seen and this baby who may not even be born. All of us 100%!

So, seriously why are you adopting?
Chris and I have talked about adoption since 1993. God willing, we wanted to have 2 children and adopt a third later in life. Even before we had Matt - I pictured 2 little toe head boys and an asian girl. God has a way of making it on His time not ours. He's "moved our cheese" more than once over the last two years while we researched programs and He handed us other "distractions" while we tried to figure out what we were supposed to be doing in life.
http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/

Why is the Thailand program closed to applications? Is this program stable?
Holt has closed to applications temporarily to get through the backlog of applicants. I've been told it will reopen in Sept-Dec this year. If you are considering this process for adoption, I think it would be best to ask the agency to be notified when it opens up. It is stable. I know someone who adopted through this program 28 years ago. Granted it's changed a bit but the same people who worked for Holt's Thailand Agency are still working there. This mom asked us to deliver pictures of her daughter to the Agency when we go.

Can singles apply?
No - Parents must be married, one divorce is acceptable.

How much does it cost?
Well, good things don't come cheap - but it is one of the less expensive programs even compared to domestic. It's a lot of legal paperwork and paying for the 24 hour care of a child for 1-2 years. In that regard, it's what you would have spent if you paid for the care of the baby from Day 1. If you want to know specifically, because you are considering adoption, provide me an email address and I'll send you the breakdown of costs.