Adopting Your Child from China: One Family's Story

By Tara Smith

As Tara’s life story led her to begin the process of adopting a child from China, she had no idea of the cost or how adoption worked in the United States, much less in China. Adopting internationally can be a daunting process for anyone, but especially for a single mother. In a guide tailored for any parent either considering or currently moving through the process of international adoption, Smith shares valuable insight and practical tools that will help anyone navigate through this major life decision that includes filling out complex paperwork, choosing an agency, financing the process, traveling to a foreign land, preparing the home, and adjusting to a new normal once the child arrives. Throughout her presentation, Smith offers a glimpse into her own experiences as she moved through each challenge to finally attain the joy of meeting her daughter for the first time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jan 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781684717293

Tara Smith

Tara Smith is a pastor’s wife, mother, educator and author with a heart for women and keepin’ it real. When she’s not spending her days teaching 6 year olds how to read, she’s home wiping up messes, kissing booboos, and dating her husband. She writes from her humble California based home in a coffee and Crayola stained journal, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

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SMITH

Copyright © 2020 Tara Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

ISBN: 978-1-6847-1730-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6847-1729-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020900605

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Chapter Art Work: Kaelyn Reece

Cover Photos credit:

Jamie Newton of Pebble Cove Photography

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 01/20/2020

I would like to thank my friends and family who helped support this journey, with love. To my agency who was there for me every step of the way, and to anyone who helps care for the kiddos waiting for their forever families, THANK YOU.

Introduction

I ’M NOT A writer by training. You will see that. When I chose to write this, it wasn’t about telling a story from a writer’s perspective. It was about sharing from a parent’s perspective. I know what it’s like to wait for your child. I know what it’s like to have fertility considerations. I know what it’s like to want to be a parent. And, thankfully, I know what it’s like to have gone through this journey successfully to the ultimate goal of having a child. I felt like I wanted a book like this when I was in the process. So, I wrote it for anyone who wants to read just a little more. Stay the course!

It is always hard to share things that are riddled with loss, pain and longing. But on the other side of the hard times are so many more beautiful moments. My child was hoped for, waited for, dreamed of, and loved.

Chapter 1

WHY ADOPT AND WHY ADOPT FROM CHINA?

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I T IS LOGICAL to know why you want to adopt a child before you embark upon the journey. Many people were adopted themselves, have adopted family members, know someone who was adopted, somehow crossed paths with an experience with adoption, have religious desires to pursue, feel something personal toward the quest of adoption, or most likely, a combination of many of those.

I am also guessing that your reason could be one thing when you start the process but change as you go down the road. As you learn about adoption, I believe your mind and heart grow for the purpose of adoption. Whether you ever adopt or are someone who is involved in the advocacy of adoption, I am sure you have grown emotionally and spiritually through the process.

I would also say that it is not really anyone’s business why you are choosing to adopt, but you will be asked. Even if you decide to have a pat answer, you will be asked. You will be asked in such a way that you might even feel defensive. You will also possibly feel that your