The Adoption Wait

You can expect to wait twice during the international adoption process. First you’ll wait for the referral, which is information about the child you’ve been approved to adopt. Sometimes the country chooses the child; sometimes your agency does the choosing. Then you’ll wait for permission to travel to pick up your child or for your child to be escorted to you.

Sometimes you visit your child on one trip and then return home to wait for the second trip. The wait after you’ve met your child for the first time—whether in person or through pictures and documents—is typically the hardest. If you start to feel despair, remind yourself that when all of the paperwork and the waiting is over, you’ll finally be welcoming your child into your home.

During the wait, begin looking for the professionals you’ll need to help you care for your child. The most important are the following:

One of the fun parts of preparing for your child’s homecoming is decorating his bedroom or nursery. You may want to inquire about paint colors, bedding fabrics, and other types of decorative elements that your child might recognize from his orphanage or foster home. You can even ask about specific colors or characters that your child in particular is fond of. If you’re not sure of your child’s exact age, opt for artwork, accessories, and toys that are likely to work for a range of ages.

Prepare for your child’s homecoming by anticipating her needs and stocking up on the following age-appropriate items.