Comments on: Adoption of Older Children

By: kydamans

kydamans — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:26:13 +0000

We brought our second Chinese daughter home last September (2009). Her birth certificate claimed that she was 8, but dental and bone scans placed her at 6-6 1/2 years old. Of course we expected the typical challenges that come with an older child adoption, but I can honestly say that Nina’s adjustment has been nothing short of miraculous! We adopted our Emma as a baby, and it was a wonderful, amazing experience. But there is something so blessed when the child is able to anticipate and understand the exciting changes that are going to happen in his/her life. I would do it again 100 time over! Please feel free to review our blog if you are thinking about bringing an older child into your family.

By: karen in mt

karen in mt — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:04:59 +0000

We adopted a 6 1/2 yr old, 17 months ago. It has been nothing short of amazing. She has done very well. A few minor melt downs when she did not get her way, but that is all. We will soon be adopting an almost 12 yr old. Karen59901@msn.com if you have any questions.

By: Sammy

Sammy — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:04:40 +0000

We adopted a girl that was almost 12 y.o. Arden. It is a very harsh life for orphans. They don’t have enough food, love, medical care etc… They are second class people there. Arden will now tell you “I not the same girl.” She is so wonderful we are on our way back to adopt two more older orphans. We thank God and China for these wonderful kids in our lives.

By: roomforatleastonemore

roomforatleastonemore — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:30:00 +0000

We are adopting an older child. He turned 10 years old in December, and we hope to be traveling in April to bring him home. Just two more steps to go: Article 5 and TA.

Thank you for a wonderful, informative post for those who may not understand older child adoption and the need for some to consider it.

By: dbracker

dbracker — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:39:08 +0000

We are first time parents of a wonderful teen from China who was adopted at the age of 13-3/4 years old. We’ve been a family for 2-1/2 years now and can’t believe how our lives were changed for the better through the adoption of an older kiddo. Yes, we’ve had ups and downs and pretty much everywhere in between, but would not change one second of it.

We’d be more than happy to chat with anyone considering older child adoption. We are not experts by any means, but have ‘been there, done that’ for many things over the past 2-1/2 years. If interested, please visit our blog at http://windingvines.blogspot.com . You can email us through a link on the right hand side of the blog.

Best Wishes,
Debbi, Kevin and Sarah

By: chinalwb

chinalwb — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:47:48 +0000

Thank you for your comments. We all hope that someday singles will be allowed to adopt again from China as there are so many children needing homes.

By: a_marvin

a_marvin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:38:12 +0000

China seems committed to making sure these kids age out of their system. Older couples and singles generally adopt older children and teens. Younger couples generally adopt babies and younger children. So, China got the bright idea to end older parent and single parent adoption. This guarantees they can put more kids out on the street every year. I thought one parent was better than zero parents. As a single I certainly was better than no one for the two older kids I adopted.

By: Jan J.

Jan J. — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:05:44 +0000

My daughter was nearly 7 at adoption, not the “older” you are talking about, but she was vehemently unhappy about leaving her beloved “sisters” at the orphanage. She was used to being cared for by a 15-yo girl who she loved very much and resented my authority. She was one unhappy girl for a long time. But now she is thriving and very happy at 13, and has been so for some time. But I have followed one family who adopted one of those children, 13 and ready to age out, and he has adjusted without so much as a wrinkle! I am amazed at how he took in stride going right to school when he got home and has had no acting out at all. It depends on the child, and if I could do it again – single and not allowed sadly – I would do an older child adoption. The joys were so much harder won than with my baby who was adopted, and therefore so special and beautiful. You have to allow a lot more time for this fully-formed personality to adapt to this wholly new situation, but it is worth the wait!

By: suznews40

suznews40 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:18:45 +0000

I am one of the moms that Amy mentioned, who volunteers for LWB (Orphanage Assistance Director) and I have adopted 3 times from China. Our first was almost 9, our second was 9 3/4, and our third was in January 2010, a girl who turned 14 the day after we adopted her. She misses China, but she is doing well and is a joy. There are challenges with Older Child adotpion, but there are also joys. Reading literature to prepare is crucial and having support of others who’ve done this is great as well. I will talk to anyone and adovocate strongly for these children. In fact, I even know of 3 older children right now whose files have been put in and I am trying to find homes for. Contact me anytime…suznews40@yahoo.com