1) Where are you from?
Dallas, Texas
2) Is there an Abrazo alumni group in your area that gathers once a year or more, and do you participate?
Yes there are families here that we keep in touch with
3) How many adoptions have you completed through Abrazo?
One
4) Is your family finished, or is there room for more? If so, how many more in your opinion (spouse's input aside, ha!)
We definitely want one more, but we both really feel in our hearts that we are ready for a girl this next time (funny because I NEVER thought I'd gender specify but I feel a calling on this one).
5) What is (or was) your Friday night fear the second (or third) time around?
The costs involved, time spent, not being chosen, and having the energy to go through it all again (the profile, being picked, changing their mind, losing out on money if they do), plus I worry about clicking as well with the birthmother as we did with my 2nd's and now with our 1st.
6) Are/were you more open to new adoption information/concepts the first time you adopted, or the next time around?
Well yes and no. I know what works for my family and I know what I am capable of. This is actually very empowering and it's a nice comfort to know that I can be honest with a birthmother about our relationship which helps ensure we have a perfect fit. As in - my version of open would be pics and phone calls and visits but I'm terrible about sending letters and pics on time, so both our son's birthmothers keep up via facebook and myspace, which they and us prefer!
7) How did/does contact with your child/ren's birthfamily/birthfamilies impact you/your parenting style/your family?
Hmmm well it really doesn't! I don't feel pressure from them to do a certain thing and they are respectful of us and our parenting style, they don't step in nor do they really want to! Christophers birthmom M says "Hey that's the one BENEFIT of adoption for me, I don't have to deal with the hard stuff like discipline I can be the awesome birthmom!" ROFL! Of course she still deals with plenty and we know that but it's a joke between us...like how I feel about my neice and nephew, I don't WANT to discpline them, but we would be open to suggestions too if they have some (they are both mom's to other children).
8) What one thing would you change about Abrazo, if you could? (You're veterans, so you're entitled to speak up! LOL)
I wish Abrazo had one set fee and you don't lose money if the birthmom's change their mind. I wish they wouldn't accept couples that are only open to biracial kids and not full AA, I wish they didn't have different fees (Even though this is the only reason we were able to adopt), I wish they weren't as expensive and sometimes I feel like they are a little quick to judge and not sensitive enough to aparents. Also, I wish there was a licensed therapist working with the expectant mothers to counsel them before and after the adoption.
One more thing...I wish the eparents had more counseling before they chose adoptive parents. I feel like we are a little quick to match when the emom is only a few months pregnant and just started thinking about adoption. I feel like they need to decide if adoption is right for them, before they decide on the aparents and add another pressure involved. I know some mom's like this but I just don't feel like it's the right step for them emotionally...
That of course is just my few pennies worth of thoughts, there are many things I love about Abrazo too!