BEFORE You Sign a Contract with an Agency:
Use this Agency Research Questionnaire to help you as you gather information and to guide you during the adoption agency selection process.
Join the Adoption Agency Research Yahoo Group as well as any Yahoo groups specific to your adoption specifications (country, single parent, etc...)
I highly recommend that you have an Agency Background Check done on the final adoption agency you wish to use. This expense can save you THOUSANDS in the end.
DURING Your Adoption Journey:
Blogs, IMHO, are VERY important for a number of reasons. First, it is a fun way for you to become a part of the adoption community. You will make friends and develop bonds that will last a lifetime! Second, it is an emotional outlet. Adoption is both exciting and scary at the same time. You will experience more ups and downs than ever before in your life. Blogging provides you with a place to vent and a place to get support from others who know what you are going through. Third, it holds your agency accountable and provides you with a detailed account of what is going on in real time. Although NOBODY goes into adoption with thoughts of litigation in the back of their mind, it is something that is ~ sadly ~ a reality. Our blog was public and had high traffic throughout our adoption. Our agency knew that their wrongs would be made public. Granted, there were threats that forced us to withhold to a certain degree. In the end, it was invaluable. Lastly, it is a priceless account of the journey to your child! I put together a brief "how to" for new bloggers that you can read HERE. If you are interested in having a custom blog design, I recommend the following blog designers:
Amy at SplitDecisionz
Dawn at BarefootBlogDesigns
Nikki at BlogsForACause
Danielle at BlogsByDanielle
Jennisa at OnceUponaBlog
