13 replies to this topic

[JIC]

Hi,

Although not a busy forum as there are many adoption pages out there I felt that a discussion page is needed here. IVF.ca forums have been a great resource for me right from the start of my journey.
I am currently in the process of completing my homestudy which is the last step for me to be adopt ready.

[Axl2]

Thats super exciting! When will your homestudy be done?

We are still waiting ☹ our 5 year update is getting close. So looking at maybe changing our child preference to include meth exposure. Im finding it hard to find good information on meth exposure so thats a struggle.

[JIC]

I have my next meeting on Monday. When I asked how many times we will meet she said 4-5 and we are meeting every 2-3 weeks so only a couple of months hopefully. Then the waiting game again.
The exposure part was the hardest section for me. I originally said no drug exposure and open to alcohol then I tried to look more into it. It is a tough call and I agree very little info still out there

[returnable]

Just jumping in to see if you guys saw this article in Nature: https://www.nature.c...cles/npp2014147

[Axl2]

How long is the average wait? We said minimal alcohol exposure and for drug exposure at moderate level cocaine, marijuana and opioids. If we do decide to go ahead with changing our child preference to meth exposure we will add consult call before our file is being shown.

@returnable I will take a look at this article.

[JIC]

Thanks for the article Return I hadnt seen that one.

The wait time is unknown and can fluctuate greatly from right away to multiple years. I think I got my home study so quickly is because I said I wanted to adopt siblings and the oldest could be upto 9 years old. As well as the fact I think others like me thought home studies were delayed due to covid. Had I called earlier I might already be done. A couple I know waited about a year. They actually declined to move forward when approached in one case prior to adopting their son.
As soon as I am adopt ready my file is available to be presented. I have opened up my drug to minimal and one thing I was told was often the birth mother is scared to admit drug use so there is a chance the child was still exposed.

[Axl2]

Yeah covid hasnt really helped things. The one nice thing about covid we dont have to meet in person for our update. I dont know if covid had anything to do with it but the agency Im with seen an increase in placements. I think its easier to be placed if your open to older kids and sibling group. The government system in Alberta if your not interested in kids older then 7 then they tell you to adopt through an agency.

[Axl2]

We are doing our 5 year update next month we are looking at changing somethings on our child preference. We thinking of putting meth exposure with consult calls. Im just wondering what else we should look at at changing to up our chances of being placed?

[JIC]

I spoke with my case worker and she said that it is really hard to know if kids have been exposed to any drugs as they rely on what the family tells them. So the kids might have been exposed and you will not even know.
In the end I was pretty open with my exposure and more specific on behaviour and known medical factors I felt I could handle. I will have to look up what I said yes, no, maybe to. A lot of my answers were on a case to case basis. I finished my homestudy and just waiting for the report to sign off on.

[JIC]

I spoke with my case worker and she said that it is really hard to know if kids have been exposed to any drugs as they rely on what the family tells them. So the kids might have been exposed and you will not even know.
In the end I was pretty open with my exposure and more specific on behaviour and known medical factors I felt I could handle. I will have to look up what I said yes, no, maybe to. A lot of my answers were on a case to case basis. I finished my homestudy and just waiting for the report to sign off on.

[Axl2]

Ok thanks! We have said yes to a few medical issues, moderate cocaine, marijuana and opioid use. We are saying yes to moderate meth use with consult call and no alcohol use.

Thats so exciting! So you should be on the waiting list soon then?!

[JIC]

I think the with consult part is key. It is very exciting. Now it is back to the waiting game which is annoying.

[Axl2]

I find theres a lot of waiting when it comes to adoption. Hopefully your wait isnt long once your on the list.

[Axl2]

So our update had to be rescheduled to end of the month. Im little upset but get it a birthmom went into labour and our social worker needed to be there.