https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:59:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-adoption#post-2858368 Mon, 26 Nov 2018 12:50:45 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2858368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to agree with others here. The ethics of adoption, especially international adoption, were too hard for us to come to terms with. This is why we chose foster care/adoption (which has ethical issues of it's own, of course, but at least there is an attempt at family preservation). I've heard often that adoption is a permanent solution to a temporary problem (usually poverty). If the money could go toward family preservation efforts, I believe the vast majority of birth mothers would choose to keep their babies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-adoption#post-2858353 Mon, 26 Nov 2018 11:08:52 +0000 Pollywog 2858353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know the people who run this organization and they are phenomenal. <a href="https://heartofgodhaiti.org" rel="nofollow">https://heartofgodhaiti.org</a>. I recommend reaching out to them and have donated to them.</p> <p>I agree with the others that the ethics of adoption can be icky. Many of these kids have parents, but their parents are too poor to take care of them. A better policy solution would be foreign aid and infrastructure development. But on a micro level these kids need homes and it's great to adopt if you're okay with the ethics (that the parents may come to say goodbye at the airport and that you are making it so a parent may never see their child again). I know that sounds super harsh. I don't mean it to be. It just is something many people aren't aware of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-adoption#post-2858345 Mon, 26 Nov 2018 09:40:54 +0000 gotkimchi 2858345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: I belive Korea is closed.</p> <p> My husband and his sister (not biological) were adopted from Korea in the 80s. My husband is doing well, his sister has a lot of feels about the situation and has tried to contact her birth family and in a pretty wild situation it seems the husband told the wife she had died or was stillborn so the mother didn’t even know. After a few letters they cut off contact and I’m sure this was very disrupting in their lives as well. His sister is very active in the adoptee community now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-adoption#post-2858343 Mon, 26 Nov 2018 09:30:50 +0000 Kaohinani 2858343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, Lazb!<br /> This may not be exactly what you are looking for. My 2nd cousin adopted internationally. She did so after her US adoption fell through. She was also very wary of international adoption for the above listed reasons, as well as, because sometimes, one does not end up with his/her child (same as in the US). She did her research and found Rainbow Kids (rainbowkids.com). They are international adoptions for children with special needs whose parents have left them. Some have higher needs and some have more minimal needs (such as were born preemies and were failure to thrive but are now doing well but may need minor educational support in Prek and grade school due to developmental delays). This adoption institution is not an agency perse but it helps you to navigate international adoption... It the same as used by the Little Couple. Anyway, she had adopted an adorable little boy from China (aged 3) that had been born with a congenital heart condition. He has not needed any further surgeries as of yet. He is now 5. I don't speak with them often but I do see pictures and receive updates from my aunt and, from what I hear, it was the best decision my cousin and her husband ever made. I do not know if this would be an option for you. I just figured I would put it out there. :heart:</p> <p><a href="https://www.rainbowkids.com/waiting-children" rel="nofollow">https://www.rainbowkids.com/waiting-children</a> </p> [attach=9021/18/pit2oh.292x600.Screenshot_20181126-095117_Chrome.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-adoption#post-2858342 Mon, 26 Nov 2018 09:09:05 +0000 pachamama 2858342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not sure this is advice but wanted to share our story. We adopted my sister from Peru when she was 2 in 1989. Things were very different then. Since then most of Latin America and Russia has closed their doors due to corruption and unfortunately politics aka men in power. This is prettty wild, but there was actually some talk of child trafficking issues with my sister's adoption (mostly just paperwork stuff and how the adoptions were handled) and our adoption lawyer from long Island was placed in jail for a while! It was on 60 Minutes 😬My sister's two sisters were adopted out and live in the metro New York area and are doing great. We are in contact with her family in Peru because I speak Spanish. Her brother is still down there and doing well. The mother is heartbroken though of course because she gave her three girls up at ages 5, 2 and 6 weeks.<br /> From what I know I think only Korea and a few Asian countries are open to adoptions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-adoption#post-2858336 Mon, 26 Nov 2018 07:14:52 +0000 Mrs. Snowflake 2858336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbubbletea: Yes, I agree with this.</p> <p>I have to do more research, but from what I've seen, the international adoption system is extremely corrupt. Though actually, a similar thing happens in the US with infant adoption (obviously not in all cases but in some): birth parents are paid to give up their children and fed rhetoric that makes adoption seem like their only option and keeping the baby seem selfish. </p> <p>I'm not sure if we will adopt; but if we ever do, foster adopting is the only way I could see doing it (even though I know how emotionally difficult and intense that is). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-adoption#post-2858328 Sun, 25 Nov 2018 23:11:29 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2858328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think adoption can be a beautiful thing but I find international adoption to be extremely tricky to “do right”. I have learned a lot in following a friend of a friend on social media who is an adult adopted from India as a baby. She had a wonderful relationship with her adoptive parents but she is very vocal about how complicated living as an adult adoptee is. This is an example of what kind of stuff she posts that would make me think twice. </p> [attach=5674/18/pis91i.277x600.2F25416B-D739-427E-B03F-0AB8A8D2F5CC.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-adoption#post-2858284 Sun, 25 Nov 2018 13:35:40 +0000 LAZB 2858284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whether or not we are able to have another biological child, we have talked about international adoption. My SIL (brother’s wife), and SIL and BIL (dh’s Siblings) were all adopted domestically, so it’s a distant consideration, but I have known several families that have been heartbroken by domestic adoption, so right now we are preferring international.<br /> We aren’t 100% going to do it, but we talk about it a lot.<br /> Any idea where to start looking? Reputable agencies? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2856019 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 19:10:04 +0000 gotkimchi 2856019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: ooh excellent! Any recommendations? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2856016 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 18:18:52 +0000 hellobeeboston 2856016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: just took our 5 &amp; 2 year olds to Lisbon and the Algarve this summer. LOVED it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2855914 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 12:14:15 +0000 peachykeen 2855914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a little late to this thread but I recommend South America or Panama. We're taking our 4- and 1-year-olds to Cartagena Columbia in the spring. It's a beautiful colonial town right at the beach so figured it would be laidback but interesting. Not 100% sure about the healthcare situation but it's a pretty upscale area, so I'd imagine they have good clinics. In Panama, you could watch the boats pass through the locks, explore the old town (Casco Antiguo), and possibly even go up to the mountains (coffee plantations!) or Bocas del Toro islands for a little more excitement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854772 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:00:41 +0000 lamariniere 2854772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It’s not international, but I agree with Hawaii! We did Oahu and The Big Island just before LO1 turned one and it was so beautiful and relaxing. I probably wouldn’t do Europe at that season since it will be cold. And I also wouldn’t do a ski/snow vacation with a 2 yo (we did a ski weekend with a 2yo but I wouldn’t want to do nearly 2 weeks). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854758 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 15:00:06 +0000 Dahlia 2854758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbeach: Montevideo has beaches and wineries within city limits and top notch healthcare...</p> <p>Santiago also has nearby wineries and beaches that are 1-2 hours away. And Buenos Aires could easily be a week of exploration with a short overnight in Colonia, Uruguay....</p> <p>And yes to the backpack - that's how we hauled DD around everywhere as the sidewalks are usually pretty broken. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854757 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 14:29:43 +0000 LAZB 2854757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbeach: @Kaohinani: I’m a big fan of staying in Ko’Olina, we just rent a car so you can drive to Honolulu, the north shore, etc, but we stay at the Marriott (my parents have a time share) and it’s awesome. This time we brought DD to a character breakfast at Aulani, so fun. And we went in January, weather was perfect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854752 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 14:07:11 +0000 Lindsay05 2854752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbeach: we often go to Jasper for photography of wildlife. You could also try whistler, although I’m not sure if the northern lights are viable from there. I’m more central Canada and we see the northern lights on almost every clear sky night! They are amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854750 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 13:36:29 +0000 yellowbeach 2854750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dahlia: I love this idea. I speak SPanish and love travelling to spanish-speaking countries - plus the FOOD! I hadn't thought about the financial aspect of affordability and the schedule bonus of no or minimal time change. DH has a nice hiking backpack for DD which would be perfect for exploring ruins and smaller towns. I'd also LOVE to attend a futbol game somewhere :) . Only catch is DD has some health issues so we'd need to stay accessible to a major hospital in case of unexpected emergency. (She has a VP shunt). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854749 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 13:23:13 +0000 Dahlia 2854749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about South America? It's a long flight, but no to minimal time change from the East Coast, which is a huge bonus with a toddler. It will be summer there when you're planning to go. </p> <p>Between ages 1 and 3 we've brought DD to Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay with great success. All three are super family friendly (special lines at immigration!) and would have the option to move about a bit and mix city sightseeing, beach time, winery visits, and hiking/horseback riding/hanging out in the country. Chile and Argentina are also usually considerably cheaper than the US/Europe and Uruguay is about the same or slightly cheaper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854747 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 12:43:48 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2854747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Canadian here, Ontario specifically and we get crazy snow and cold. Tremblant in Quebec is super and beautiful and lots to do, buuuuut I would not do a winter vacation with a kid that young. Especially if you want to focus on doing activities that you technically need to learn to do like skiing or skating and if you have a kid who wants to burn off energy. We find the winters terrible for keeping young kids occupied, though we aren’t at a fancy resort of course! You can only build so many snowmen/forts and sled so much ha Ski vacations are so fun as a couple but we are just starting to be able to enjoy winter activities now our son is 4.</p> <p>If you really want to go skiing, maybe look at BC/whistler/etc. Where the weather is more temperate? I’ve only been in springtime which is great so not sure about winter peak snow season. I would hate to travel somewhere and be hindered by weather with a stir crazy kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854746 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 12:42:47 +0000 Chuckles 2854746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: so fun! I'm dying to go there </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854745 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 12:40:10 +0000 Kaohinani 2854745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbeach: There are amazing discounts for the season at the Hilton downtown (Honolulu) and you can walk to all destinations in the vicinity... plus, it has both beach and pool access. On the opposite side, there are bunches of hotels and rentals near Germaine's Luau. The Four Season's, the Embassy, and the Hampton Inn is up that way, as well as, Disney's Aulani Resort (PERFECT for Having a toddler) ... all surround the lagoons (which I used to frequent on my days off from work). It is the Ko'Olina, Kapolei area. </p> <p>Affixed is a pic collage I made showcasing a few photos from the lagoon area.... Yes, you can see sea turtles there, as well. 🐢</p> <p>[attach=9021/18/phojqy.340x600.CollageMaker_20181104_123821855.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854743 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 12:17:01 +0000 yellowbeach 2854743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: This was perfect - I think Oahu is a good fit. I've actually been there once - the one and only time I've been to Hawaii but I remember amazing snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, and he's a huge history buff and would probably like Pearl Harbor. Any suggestions on somewhere to stay that would be nice but not too too touristy, but not so stuff as to be unfriendly to us bringing DD? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854742 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 12:10:37 +0000 Kaohinani 2854742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbeach: As I stated, I lived on Oahu so I'm partial to Oahu and know EVERYTHING there; however, the Big Island has so much to offer (retreats, resorts, waterfalls, mountain hikes, Kona tours, Luaus, native exhibitions ...), Maui has a plethora of parks and reserves, and Kauai is absolutely gorgeous with all of the gardens and lush greenery (* we took my husband's parents there ... they are master gardeners). I love them all and, honestly, would love back a 4th (and final) time if it were possible. </p> <p>Here is a link for deciding which Island fits your vacation needs best:<br /> <a href="https://www.hawaii-guide.com/content/posts/which_hawaii_island_to_visit" rel="nofollow">https://www.hawaii-guide.com/content/posts/which_hawaii_island_to_visit</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854741 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 11:57:27 +0000 yellowbeach 2854741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lindsay05: DH would love the northern lights - he's a big space buff. He's also never been to Canada. Any specific suggestions for a lodge-type place to stay with good nature and views of the sky? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854740 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 11:56:15 +0000 yellowbeach 2854740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990 @kaohinani: any preferred island? I like the sound of Hawaii ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854738 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 11:01:02 +0000 Lindsay05 2854738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will try and sell Canada as a great winter vacation the best I can! Lots of ski resorts have cozy cabins with hot tubs which are the greatest when it’s cold outside! Also you’re not limited to skiing. There’s also tobogganing and ice skating. Many resorts also have wild animals such as elk roaming the town sites. Also can’t forget about the northern lights! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854737 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 10:56:38 +0000 Kaohinani 2854737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hawaii is so cliche but I have lived there 3x in my life and could probably be a tour guide. That and I know a bunch of private beaches, local hang outs, ziplining, food vendors (shrimp trucks, anyone?), the best island jumper tours, a bunch of different Luau options (theatrical, traditional, or cultural), waterfalls, undersea tours, etc. All three times I lived on Oahu; however, I have spent much time island hopping and vacationing on other islands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854734 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 10:48:11 +0000 yellowbeach 2854734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: Richmond or Dulles </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854731 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 10:27:23 +0000 Maysprout 2854731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Costa Rica :happy: Lots of animals to see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854730 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 10:17:38 +0000 gotkimchi 2854730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Where are you flying out of? Any preferences for flight length, direct v layover? We’re considering Lisbon, Portugal and the azores </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-in-the-world-with-a-toddler#post-2854728 Sun, 04 Nov 2018 10:10:46 +0000 annem1990 2854728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hawaii ♥️ </p>