Adopting from Kazakhstan

[darlingbuddy]

Hi all, I'm a newbie and hope some of you can help. We are hoping to adopt from kazakhstan - we have cleared the discolsure checks and our medicals are done. We had the first visit for our assessment last week, next one on Friday. The SW had two interesting questions which I can't seem to find the answers for - are there any groups for adopters of Kazakh kids in Scotland/UK, like there are for Chinese and Guatemalan? Has anyone had experience of getting part-way thru the process and then found out they are pregnant? The SW wanted to know what the Kazakh view on this might be, just in case it happens (highly unlikely!). Any info greatly appreciated.

A mum on here has done that. I am sure that she will see this

kewcumber adopted from Kazak - she used to post as suejonez - search under her name for some info

Kewcumber adopted a little boy from Kazakhstan. I'll send her over this way if I see her. I think she checks the adoption section fairly regularly anyway. She did a blog while she was there, I'll see if I can find a link. It is fascinating and very moving.

Kewcumber's blog

Thank you all, wasn't expecting such a rapid response! Good to know we're not the only ones. feels like there are lots of US-Kazakh adopters, but not many UK. We are in Scotland. Not many adopters full-stop in our neck of the woods, so good to get some feedback!

Kew where are you? She's your woman!

no - there are no groups in scotland for families adopting from Kaz. But there are local groups for families adopting / hoping to adopt from overseas. you need to join oasis and find your local group

Adoption Uk also runs groups for adoptive parsnts

You REALLY REALLY need to join now as your Sw doesnt exacttly sound very knowledgable . TBH he/she is either very naive or playing daft in order to assess your response

re getting pg during the adoption process - i don't know the view in Kaz but you will need to be approved here in the Uk and the answer to thsi is its VERY BAD NEWS

do NOT tell your SW that this is "unlikely". tell him/her that you will be using contraception from now in "just in case" as you are TOTALLY COMMITTED to the adoption plan

do not mention conceiving/being pg any time during your assessment, unless its to refer to it as something you once hoped for but have now realised is not the way for you to become parents

if this isn't how you feel, go for counselling (unconnected with SS). do NOT try to use your home study as therapy or you will not get approved to adopt

if you DO get PG, do not tell SS unless you really have to. by this i mean if it happens in an early stage of the process AND even then not until you are at least 6 months

dont tell anyone i told you this

100% agree with Kristina particularly "don;t treat your home srudy as therapy" I know people who have and it has comeback to bite them. Treat it as what it is.. a job interview for the position of parent, don;t lie but don't share every possible thing with your SW.

I know someone who adopted from Kaz whilst 3 months pregnan and told no-one.

I suspect the KAz view ould be "why do you want to adopt if you are pregnant" - they would be very bemused by it. Whtehr they would actually alloe it would probably come down to the individual judge and the ministry of education offical in cahrge of the case as to whetehr they think it would be in teh best interests of the child.

Agree with Kris that I just can't imagine any LA allowing you to go ahead with an adoption if they thought you were pregnant so surely its moot point?!

There is a UK/Kazakh yahoo group with about 50 members about half of whom have either adopted or are currently very active in the adoption process. I know we have scottish adopters but what stage they are at is anyones guess. Quite a few Irish adopters too.

I'm the OASIS contact for Kaz adoptions so probably as good a person as any to ask if you have any specific questions.

Thank you Kristina and Kewcumber, you've confirmed my feelings for me. I thought the 'pregnant' question was very odd, too. As far as we are concerned, we have to get through the assessment to get to what we want - parenthood. We are not going for adoption as a 'second best' option because we desperately wanted 'our' baby (which seems to be what some of the people we have told we are adopting think!!!!) - we are going for it because we will - hopefully - be able to complete our 'family' and make a difference to a child which may not have another chance at a home. We have made this very clear, and have our resons for going abroad instead of the Uk, as I am sure every overseas adopter has. Kewcumber, I will be logging on to Oasis and signing up, but I would also be interested in the Yahoo/Kaz group. I don;t know how to 'Yahoo' - how do I go about this? Kristina, your secret is safe with me . Thnks again both for the advice.

hi, I lived in Kazakhstan for 4 years, so could probably advise on any cultural issues etc, though don't know anything about adoption... good luck with it all!

I'm a member of the UK Kazakh Yahoo Group and would definitely recommend that you join. You need to contact Sue Jonez who monitors the site, have you managed to do that yet?