|
September 10th, 2009
01:55 AM ET
Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley adopt a babyKatherine Heigl's publicist has confirmed to CNN that the actress and her husband, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley, are adopting a baby. It'll be their first child together - adopted or otherwise.  No details were provided by the publicist, but the website RadarOnline reports that the couple's been trying to adopt for about six months, and that the baby is a 10-month-old girl from Korea. Her name is reportedly Nayleigh, and her nickname will be Leigh. The star of "Knocked Up" and TV's "Grey's Anatomy" is following in her own parents' footsteps: her sister Meg was adopted from Korea. Earlier this month, various blogs and entertainment newsites reported that Heigl was taking a leave of absence from her role of "Dr. Izzie Stevens" on "Grey's" to film the romantic comedy "Life as We Know It." Hmmm... maybe she got the time off instead to prepare for her new arrival? What do you think? |
  About this blog
Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.  |
Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing in your feeds and even I success you access constantly rapidly.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I've read this put up and if I may just I desire to counsel you some attention-grabbing issues or advice. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles regarding this article. I wish to read more things about it!
I'm impressed of marquee.blogs.cnn.com , I need to say. Really not often do I encounter a blog that's each educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you have got hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the difficulty is one thing that not sufficient people are speaking intelligently about. I'm very blissful that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for something regarding this.
An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little bit evaluation on this. And he the truth is bought me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If doable, as you change into experience, would you mind updating your blog with extra details? It's extremely helpful for me. Large thumb up for this blog put up!
I am the proud father of my Russian son whom we adopted two years ago when he was 18 months old. I think it is great that these people have decided to adopt. True the media makes this extremely personal decision a public spectacle because these people are in the limelight, it is nevertheless a wonderful thing they have done. As I have come to believe "adopting a child won't change the world, but for that child the world will be forever changed".
To all of those who say "why not adopt an American child?" my answer is that of the other posters, the adoption rules, at least in IL are clearly designed to put the needs of the birth mother first, then the child, then finally with the adoptive parents and not putting the child first. My wife and I were with one agency for 18 months doing the homestudy and preparing for a child. We were assured, virtually guaranteed by the counselor's, that within 3 months of completing the home study we would be chosen. Those three months came and went , so did several more, until we asked the agency where we stood. They continually gave us the run around, didn't answer our questions, and when we tried to switch to their Russian program we were told that everything we had done up to that point had to be done again because the two programs weren't interchangeable, despite the fact that most, if not all, of the homestudy courses were identical. We would also have to wait, irregardless of what program we went with, at least another 18-24 months before we could be "selected" because of the "glut" (as the counselor put it) of prospective parents waiting, and even this new time frame wasn't guaranteed. We decided that the agency was really looking for the "perfect" couple so we could be one of their success stories, and we finally left. We also did not truly believe in the "open adoption" concept where we were being forced into seeing the birth mother 4 times per year until the child turned 18. It may work for some, and my hat is off to those folks, but to us sorry that is co-parenting. 5 months later we signed up with the agency who, 10 months later, helped up bring our son home. He is a healthy and happy 3.5 year old.
Until the laws are changed in the US to put the needs of the children first and the time frame is cut down, many US couples will go overseas for their children and we may again in 2 years time.
Just some thoughts from someone who's been through it.
Mama,
I'm sorry if I confused you, let me clear up my position. I'm gay but if I plan on having a child one day I would either have a surrogate mother have the child or I would adopt only a child loosely considered to be "white" (of more or less european descent). I would not want to bring up a child that looks nothing like me or my partner. I have nothing against other races, I have TONS of friends who are black, hispanic and asian, but I think that they have plenty of children already and everyone should and can have their preferences for how they want their kids to look. Maybe I'd like to have a white child because they are only a fraction of the world population and are going extinct? I would feel closer to the child if it resembled my race. It also looks much, MUCH better in public. There's something special when someone looks at your child and says "oh he/she has your eyes [or some other feature]".
When I see white parents and a black child or asian it doesn't even look like it's theirs and I always have to take a double look..., it looks like they are taking care of someone else's child (and well, they are!). There's a lack of connection there and the kids will feel that later on in life. I know many adopted children who are not white like their parents and they have struggled with identity. One of them is black and doesn't even want to accept that he is black, he thinks he is white! One of my best friends (who is black) just totally embraced her black side and doesn't even really recognize that she was adopted and brought up in white culture. I know an asian girl that struggled looking in the mirror who wanted so desperately to look white like her parents but realized in school that she was considered asian by everyone else. It's probably as hard as growing up and realizing you're gay, but that's something that you really can't help. I'd like to do my best to minimize culture clashes with my kids.
Callie,
I'm sorry that you feel my feelings are from ignorance, the difference between both of us is that I'm pragmatic and your sentiments are based on emotions. When you begin to look at things in a practical way you realize how utterly useless the whole "compassion" argument is for adopting children generally (unless there's some special reason like a close family member or best friend leaving a behind a child after death). The only way to stop suffering in third world countries is to educate them not to have so many children, because otherwise it's a neverending cycle. When they have more children than food can support they will starve and die. Do you honestly think that doing things like sending food and adopting are going to solve their problems? It's as ludicrous as the whole idea of so many Americans choosing to make money in this country and supporting millions of third world immigrants to have kids when they might as well have their own and enjoy the fact that they are the same flesh and blood. There is no such thing as fairness in life, one day you will wake up to that reality. If there were such a thing as fairness, it will constitute total poverty for everyone.
People like me, who are fiscally conservative and oppose endless welfare spending are not heartless, but we understand that making policy decisions based more on emotion than reason tends to have bad consequences down the road, and often times the people who suffer the most are the ones you wanted to help.
Spend money now to help the poor but down the road you'll be bankrupt and many millions will end up dying anyway is the final result! Remember that!
We too know an asian man who is adopting a white baby. I think maybe people tend not to notice this because there are far more white people adopting in general. Most caucasians do adopt within their race, not to preserve their race, but because they don't feel prepared to handle the problems that come up with racism in our society. Its obvious from reading some of these posts that there are still many people out there who think along the lines of 'preserving a race', and are very judgmental toward inter-racial families.
I think the problem most prospective adoptive parents have with adopting outside their race is that many parents recognize they are not equipped to handle racism. If you are a caucasian parent with an adopted an African American child, how can you know what to tell your child when he gets accused of steeling just because he is black? What do you do when a classmate makes 'asian eyes' at your adoptive asian daughter? And even if you find the words, will your child respect them knowing that you could never understand what he/she is going through?
Things are not so simple as to say, "adopt a child in the US, there are lots of kids here." To just go out and adopt a child, any child, for the sake of "saving" a US child is not wise. These are the sorts of adoptions that wind up in disaster. These sorts of adoptions are why adoptees are often seen as "messed up". Parents who are not strong enough to adopt older kids, outside their race, or special needs kids would not be doing any favors to the kids by adopting them. This is why adoption is a very personal issue, and not for the general public to decide.
Sincerely, caucasian mom to a beautiful 2 year old from China
“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:5-6)
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” (1 John 3:1)
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
TO "Suzanne & Chadwick" – Both of you take the cake on IGNORANCE!!!!
Educate yourselfs and read about the cultures and statistics of children of 2nd and 3rd world countries! The most of them will be very lucky to even see their 21st birthday, and if they do, only a small percentage of them will be healthly, happy and productive.
Katherine Heigle was just on the TV talking (no beaming) about her adoption..... DID you even know that her soon to be daughter is "Special Needs"? OR EVEN know that they have been in the PROCESS for almost a YEAR!!! She has a special connection to Korea.... this is her and her family's choice. How dare you spew your hatred and ignorance on them and on ALL of the Familes that internationally adopted! You two are totally clueless.
How many foster children or domestically adopted children do you have??? Maybe you should act on YOUR words and get involved with the children.
YES, we are adults, and can have our own opinions (thanks to the US constitution), but being civil is truly a virtue!
I am a single adoptive mom who CHOOSE international adoption. I studied the culture, learned the statistics and my heart led me to Russia. My daughter was alittle over 8 years old when she came home, and the first 8 years of her life was pure hell. No person should EVEER have to endure what this child did. She was neglected, abused and malnourished for 8 years. Her future was limited at best if she where to remain in Russia. So according to your WISDOM.... She didn't matter, and who cares about this precious soul!
I truly feel sorry for your cold hearts!
chadwick,
Pardon me but if you are gay exactly how do you think you could have a child whether he or she looks like you or not? Are you saying that only whites are gay? I am confused by your rant about preserving your race.....being gay IS NOT about race just like adopting a child is not about race. Adopting is about being a parent to a child who needs one. Loving a child ( or any person really) is not insensitive. Your comment, however, is! There are many children who got a chance to have a real family who I am sure would not agree with your assessment even though their skin tone may not match that of their new moms and dads!
P.S. Or more accurately," interracial".
P.S. I meant "multiracial" not bi-racial which would be the byproduct.
citizen,
Anybody should and can do what they want. To answer your question, no, I'm not a fan of biracial marriages either probably in the same way that straight people wouldn't like the fact that I'm gay. Anyone can do what they want. However, your situation is extremely out of the ordinary. I have travelled in every state and almost every major city in the USA and 3 other countries and I have never once witnessed a non-white family with white children (adopted). You would be the first.
I could care less what year we are in, I feel that all distinct races should have this place on the earth and every culture and ethnicity deserves and RESERVES the right to prefer their race over another one, in the same way that someone may prefer to marry someone whom they feel is good looking over someone they may feel isn't.
As it is, it seems that about 1 in 15 white couples I witness almost everywhere I go have adopted some foreign or ethnic child. What if everybody did that?Am I so EVIL to be afraid that a race should extinguish itself because of some ridiculous past "guilts"?
If someone doesn't care, then so be it, but don't call me racist because I feel a certain way. I'm half venezuelan and half european/jewish myself, but if I look a certain way and am perceived to look that way, for all practical purposes that is what I am regardless of my actual genetic makeup. And while it is beyond dispute that to an extent, "race" is an illusion, it is one that has an ENORMOUS impact on what happens to the world and where culture goes. Once a nation, ANY nation, has been replaced by an ethnic group that does not closely identify with founders of that nation, it will fall. It has happened to Ancient Rome, Egypt and EVERY other civilization. They lost their identities because of extinguishing themselves through immigration.
The rest of the world can be concerned about looking after the progression and multiplication of their people, but if ANYONE in a western culture suggests that they would prefer if people in their nation should seek to preserve themselves they are instantly called "racist".
I never even used to pay attention to race or anything, but the way I see it changing things socially and economically is starting to really concern me.
Chadwick,
Our daughter is white and I am of Egyptian harritage and my husband is biracial. She is perfectly happy child and we adopted her from here in the US. and by your logic, my husband and his sister should be traumatized since they are a different color than their biological mother and their parents should have never been married because it is extremely insensitive to their children. By your logic, there shouldn't be interacial marriage for the sake of the children. Are we in 2009 or 1909? I guess my mother-in-law has contributed to the egotistical genocide you are talking about!!!! I am stunned!
God himself shows us the most perfect example of adoption when he adopts us into His family when we reject our sinful nature and trust in his son Jesus Christ.
"In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." (Ephesians 1:5-6)
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God." (1 John 3:1)
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27)
It's pretty sad IMO. This thrend seems to be growing. Where is the respect for one's racial heritage anymore, and why is it considered bad? That being said, adopting children of another race is very traumatic for the children later on in life, and what is the purpose of it? At the rate this is happening, white people will be exterminating themselves even faster than we thought! That is not a sentiment of racism, it is a sentiment of preserving a very small world minority (nearly 3%) - caucasians.
This is basically just egotistical genocide.
I'm gay and my first choice would be to have my own kids that actually look like me and to preserve my race (like everybody in the world but white people are doing). Adopting children, especially of another race is extremely insensitive to the child and tends to create a psychological disparity later on in life.
I never see hispanics, asians or blacks adopting white kids, and you know why? Because they respect their race and they want to prosper and grow in numbers.
I'M SO SICK OF PEOPLE ADOPTING CHILDREN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. THERE ARE SO MANY CHILDREN HERE IN THE STATES THAT NEED HOMES THAT THIS MAKES ME SICK AS DOES ANGELINA JOLIE. IT DOESN'T MAKE THEM ANY MORE SPECIAL, AND IT ACTUALLY MAKES ME MORE DISGUSTED WITH HOLLYWOOD (IF THAT'S POSSIBLE).
I am adopted. I was 6 months old. Albeit I am Canadian, and I was adopted by a Canadian couple, I would not hesitate in the least to adopt over seas. At least here or in the US, the awaiting children would still be taken care of even if they are not adopted. Some children overseas that don't get adopted are left to their own vices when they turn of age to be pushed out on thier own, and end up dying somewhere alone. I realize this happens in Canada and the US as well, but it's more apt to happen in less fortunate places.
I applaud them for looking overseas and giving a child a better future than what she may have been destined for if not adopted.
Congratulations! I wish you and your little one all the happiness in the world!
First and foremost congrats to the wonderful couple for helping an innocent child & gaining a wonderful family!!!
Perhaps ppl should know all their facts before talking about "RED TAPE" Susan obviously know's what she is talking about after all she works in the field of adoption, specifically international adoption, she specifically states: "the red tape in terms of preparation is actually greater for most international adoptions. The time is often longer as well." Then there is: Father of 2 adopted sons from the USA who states: "With my wife and I having adopted two newborn infants right here in the USA, I can say that –
1. it’s extremely easy to adopt in the states,
2. the money spent in the states versus overseas can be within the same range of 17k to 45k unless you go through the state agencies where it’s essentially free.
3. We were on the waiting list for 2 weeks for each one
4. The degree of openness plays a HUGE part in how fast you are able to adopt. People that stipulate race, color, health, etc… will wait generally longer."
It doesn't really matter to me domestic or international I just feel sorry for ppl when they get on here and talk "red tape this, red tape that" & don't know what they are talking about!
Adoption is a loving thing to do for a child of ANY AGE, be it international or domestic, and these decisions are different for each family.
Echoing what is already been said, adoption is a deeply personal decision that should never be judged from the outside. The decision to adopt internationally v. domestically is an important part of that decision-making process, and the factors for and against both kinds of adoption are going to be weighed differently by each prospective adoptive parent.
Just for the record, though, domestic adoption can be very speedy and very easy. I adopted my infant daughter (2 days old) right here in Texas as a single mother within three months of submitting an application to an adoption agency. The cost was almost entirely offset by the federal adoption income tax credit. That's right: single mother, newborn, three months, for less than $2,000.
The key? Being willing to adopt a child "other than white" and who was not an "ooops, I had sex on my prom night and need to place the baby for adoption so I can head to my ivy-league college" baby.
US parents adopt internationally for many reasons.
My wife and I adopted from Asia because:
1.over 30% of US babies are addicted to crack or will display Sx of fetal alcohol syndrome (but not until after age 3 in some cases)
2. The biologic mother has 6 months or longer to change her mind and demand to have the child back
3. The US prefers an open adoption, having a ongoing relationship with the biologic mother and her partner. This is not something we welcome without knowing more about the birth parent (s). We will support contacts with the biologic parent at a later date and only if our child is interested.
Children born in Asia, and most of the world, have zero chance of being adopted..... US parents accept adoption of non-blood relatives but most countires do not have this heritage.
Foreign adoption means giving a child a fighting chance to make a decent life for themselves while addressing legitimate concerns we have as US parents. There are many challenges we face adopting children yet we gladly face these challenges knowing.n our case, it is THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!!!!!.... and I have had a very full life helping many US citizens in other ways as an ICU and trauma ED RN.
Please before you criticize US parents for looking elsewhere, understand that there are VERY sound reasons for us to pursue this path. THANK YOU!!!
Amy, "the easy route by adopting from China"???? Our only child is adopted from China, and it took us two years and $30,000 to get her. Because of my wife's and my age, we didn't have the 4-6 years to wait on an American baby, and we knew that adopting from China meant we would never have to worry about the birth mother coming back years later and wanting the child back. There are plenty of pretentious people in the US who will only take blonde hair blue-eyed babies.
Families are created in all different ways. Congratulations to Katherine and Josh for adopting this little one, and for adding to the family they created when they got married. All children deserve loving homes and I'm happy for them. None of us know the reasons why they chose an international adoption and it doesn't matter. Adoption is a highly personal and emotional decision from all sides. I'm a mom of a 37 yr old whom I placed for adoption back in the days when adoptions were private and sealed. It was a different world back then; all the shame and stigma that was associated with being an unwed mom. I'm happy to say my adult child and I have enjoyed 3 yrs now of being reunited; he has been a delightful addition to my family. As I said, families are created in all different ways.
I have to laugh at these responses that say there is no red tape for going through US foster care. If months of classes, routine social worker visits, court visits, and paperwork does not sound like red tape to you, you must have a heck of a day job! Then again, my husband was not responsible for doing very much of the red tape for our adoption. I doubt he realizes what a HUGE deal it was either. And acquiring a child two weeks later... NOT!! Also, in my state its almost like the government wants to inhibit foster care adoption. Yes, it is that difficult.
Meredith, yes, there are plenty of kids in this country that need to be adopted, but our country makes it very difficult to get them. We were told by our adoption agency it could take five years to get a US baby. There are far more people in the US wanting to adopt than there are babies available, due to abortion being legal and teenage mothers keeping their babies..
Meredith – and just how many children have YOU adopted domestically or otherwise? I would venture a guess at ZERO. Until you have walked the path as an adoptive parent it is pretty ridiculous of you to even post a comment such as yours.
Tracy – The USA is no longer a Christian nation, rather it is a nation of citizens according to our President. It stopped being a Christian nation when the left wings took over Congress and began stripping God out of everything.
Patrick, that was exactly our experience with adopting. We wanted a child from 0-5 years old and did take the free parenting class, went through the homestudy that anyone adopting whether domestically or internationally would need to complete and three months after we were approved for fostering/adopting they called us about our daughter and she was placed with us in less than 2 weeks of that call. Even the agencies do admit that it was very difficult to adopt out children, however, that has changed tremendously. By law, you have 18 months to try to reunify the child with the birth parent, after that the agency must start permenancy planning for that child.
Our daughter is now 3 and we are talking about adopting anothre child as we think she needs a sibling.
A baby is an instant child brought into this world thru no fault of their own; they deserve a home and loving parents, regardless of what country they are from... God bless adopted parents... who ever they are or what ever country they received their children from....
Meredith-
This is the only country where the baby can be taken away from you because the birth mother decides she made a mistake and wants the baby back. If the courts find that the birth mother is suitable, they may take the baby away from the adoptive parents and the only parents the child has ever known. How terrible for the chid and the adoptive parents. Would you risk it? I wouldn't.
Everyone needs to stop judging other's decisions (famous or not). People do whatever they feel is right for them. One of the greatest things you can do is become a parent. I am glad that they will have this incredible experience.
I think that adopting a child from Korea was a wonderfull tribute to her own sister. She must really Love and Respect her sister.
I think it's great that they are adopting. It's obvious that her sister was adopted from Korea and she has a great, loving relationship with her. She probably picked that route because her sister was an inspiration and a wonderful addition to her own family. I find it sad that people must put down international adoptions. A baby is a baby and all babies want love. Regardless of their intentions, in the end they will give a baby a wonderful future and they will get as much love from the baby as they give him/her. Best of luck to them!
There probably would be more US adoptions if you didn't have to jump thru so many hoops.
Maybe if it was easier to adopt a child in the US people would stop
going to foreign countries. The red tape to adopt is ridiculous.
More people would/could adopt children from here in the USA if the system was as easy as in other countries. I have both family and friends that have adopted from other countries due to all the red tape.
children all over the world need a home. It doesn't matter what country a child is from, they deserve a chance at a good life.
Congratulations, Katherine and Josh! A huge smile crossed my face when I read the title of this article. Welcome to parenthood!
I absolutely cannot stand Katherine..but I do applaud her for adopting.
Both of my children are adopted from the U.S...it didn't take but 2-4 months through a local agency...both were infants...1 day old...and two months old...when they joined our family. Adoption can be expensive...but no more expensive than having a biological child without health care coverage. Things are better now with employers covering the child 100% from the moment they join your family. It doesn't matter if a child is adopted locally or internationally...the most important thing is they are placed in a loving home.
I am an adoptive parent of 2 American-born children. My wife at the time and I found that adopting here saved a lot of money as opposed to adopting from overseas. No red tape really; we just took a free foster-parenting class, filled out an application where we specified what type of children we wanted(we wanted a sibling pair), and about 5 months later we were matched with a brother and sister, 5 and 6 years old, whose parents had to give them up due to neglect and abuse. A year of fostering the children passed quickly, and then we legally adopted them at a legal cost of less than $2000 total.
That was 10 years ago, and as far as the children are concerned, they are happy & healthy and have not been any more trouble than biological children would have been. All in all, adopting domestically from the Human Resources agency has been a wonderful, fantastic experience that I cannot imagined could have been any better if done in any other way. Domestic adoption has worked for my family!
For those who say that the red tape here is great for adoptions, I strongly diagree. We adopted our daughter from foster care and it was virtually free. She was abandoned at birth. She was placed with us when she was 6 months as our fosterchild while we went through the court and the 6 month mandatory supervisory period. From the time we started the process to the time we finalized the adoption was 10 months, 7 of which she was with us. The laws and the process has been simplified significantly in the foster care system and I am sorry instead of celebreties going to far away places to adopt toddalrs or small children, there are half a million children in fostercare in need of permenant homes. All in all we paid $800 to the lawyer to finalize the adoption and we got that money back from the tax adoption credit for adoption expenses. So expense and process is quite accessible to everyone and shouldn't be an excuse for the lack of adoption of our own children here. Please note that a large number of children in fostercare are african american or mixed race and that could be a large contributing factor of why we would spend large sums of money and go through our and other governments' red tape to adopt from abroad.
Sorry for all the typos – I was typing my comment quickly while I was finishing up my lunch break.
I find it incredibly disturbing that people from such a Christian nation would say that children here are more deserving of a home than children in another country. Children are children. Good for them for creating a family however they chose to do it!
Congratulations to them!!!!! VERY well said Jackie in Dallas..... God Bless them all!!
I have two beautiful grandchildren who were adopted in the states. My daughter and son-in-law did have to fill out paper work and go through all of the "red tape", but they felt at the time that it was pretty consistent with what was required for international adoptions. Unlike international adoptions it was a very quick process. They were matched with a birthmother within two weeks after their paperwork was in, and their son came home directly from the hospital less than 6 months later! Their daughter was matched within one month after applying a second time, and she was home two weeks later! Yes, there is heartache when an adoption fails (it happened once to them), but if you go into it prepared and with your eyes open the joy certainly outweighs the risks! Children are a blessing no matter where they come from!
I agree with Katie. I work in the legal field and know that depending upon what state you live in – even if everything was done by the book – if the biological parents's change their minds the child who was adopted maybe uprooted from the only family s/he has none and placed with the biological parents. I was fortunately enough to have two of my own children so adoption was never a consideration. However, if I were to adopt I would definitely adopt outside of the US. John in CA – I hope you and your wife are able to raise the child you adopted without the biological parents interfering.
I would like to know how long they have been in the "adoption process". I am currently in the process of adopting from China and we are going on 4 years. It's funny how "celebrities" announce adoption plans and how quickly their adoptive children appear!!
Um the news here is that Katherine and Josh adopted a baby in need NOT that she is from Korea. Some of you should be pretty scraped up for living in glass houses. Go join a book club or something.
Only if it was that easy to adopt here,than am sure they would consider rather than going overseas
I TOO FEEL A CHILD IS A CHILD.
KUODOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TO THE NEW PARENTS-TO-BE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
congrats! to the new parents. I was suprised to see so many with comments on a couples private and personal choice. Especially when they are directed to people I'm sure none of you know. I am a product of domestic adoption and have friends that have adopted domestically and abroad so I am knowledgeable on the subject and either way, both are options and a personal choice and it's no one elses business. My question, for all of you puffing your chests out about adopt american... What type of car do you drive? Where do you shop? Do you look at where your groceries and clothes come from? Do you shop by price and easy access or do you go out of your way to buy local and shop american? Don't you think you should worry about your own household and not someone else's especially when that someone else is doing something wonderful!!!
adult female adoptee September 10th, 2009 1:39 pm ET
my siblings and i were all adopted, from the us, i think people should try to adopt here first, the problem is people want newborns of a specific race or gender
I am soooo happy for you and your siblings for having such a wonderful family......
As a single adoptive mom, I have to tell you that adopting here in the US was NOT easy, and I eventually choose to adopt from Russia. My darling daughter was not an infant or even a toddler... she was over 8 years old when she came home! She had been neglected, malnourished and abused for her first 8 years of life. After 4+ years home, she is finally blossoming and thriving. NO ONE should have ever lived the life that this child had!
Please do not lump all international adoptive families into one group that may or may not truly exist!!!!
Bless ALL of the children around the WORLD and may they all have loving families one day!!!
A little education here... There are two different types of US adoption:
foster care adoption – lots of kids, mostly older and/or special needs, not many prospective parents. That's the one that takes forever and requires extensive red tape (year of classes, several social worker visits, courts, etc), but little cost.
private adoption – few kids, many waiting prospective parents. This is a hit or miss process where the birth family has to choose the adoptive parents. If you don't say the right thing or have a pleasing photograph in your file you could wait lots longer. Can be expensive or cheap depending on if you use an agency or find a birth mother on your own.
It's irresponsible for hollywood couples to adopt (or even to have children), because you know ahead of time that they're going to get divorced. Or worse, one of them could come out of the closet during their short marriage (and be the cause of the divorce).
This message to Merideth...
My sister has been trying to adopt a US born baby for SEVERAL years now, with no success! Just this past week, a 19 year old girl from Lancaster CA ripped my sister's heart out by agreeing to the adoption, and then four days later, asking for the baby back...
So I say, congrats to Katherine and Josh, may they enjoy a wonderful life with their new baby girl, and may she grow up to be as giving and loving as they are...
LauraL, Meredith is so right. And yes shame on the people that only want to adopt cute and cuddly babies & toddlers and not teens. God must have smiled on me for He sent two strong middle-class average Mid-westerners to adopt me at 13. I came from a broken home, my birth mother raising us was deemed unstable and my sister was put in foster care when I was 11 (she was 16). No I wasn't easy for my adoptive parents ...in addition to the feeling of not belonging I was a normal rebellious teenager but they stuck by me and gave me tough love when I needed it most. As I am now a single parent of a successful college student, I value what role models I had for the short 4-years of high school.
That's great! More people need to adopt children from all over. What's with the USA v foreign adoption arguing? You think it's easy to adopt in general? It's not. Unless you are the adoption king or queen of US children, then shut up.
Congrats to both! YOU GO GIRL!
Adoption is wonderful but I wish it was more affordable. It seems you have to have thousands of dollars to adopt these days anymore.
Congratulations! That's wonderful news. My best friend and her sister are both adopted. My friend is Puerto Rican and her sister is Korean, raised by caucasian parents. The adoptions were smooth and they've grown into well adjusted, wonderful women. My friend looks like her adopted father, which is odd, but obviously her sister looks nothing like the rest of the family. They both have talked about adopting inthe future, but they want biological children as well. My friend says she wants a baby she shares blood with, someone who looks like her. Lucky for this new Heigl-Kelley baby, she'll already have a family member she looks like.
If you aren't a celebrity, and especially one like Katherine Heigl, who can apparently do no right in the press, and if you aren't adopting yourself, then I don't think you have a right to judge this wonderful thing. They're expanding their family. They're having a baby. Just be happy for them. What's wrong with Americans today that we can only look for reasons to be hateful, and can't just share in someone's joy?
DS – Don't let being a singleton prevent you from becoming a parent! There are lots of states and countries that allow single people to adopt. As a single woman, I am adopting a toddler from Haiti.
I am adopting internationally because, among a myriad of other reasons, I did not want a newborn or a child who had been through years of abuse before the courts finally revoked the biological parents' rights. To adopt a toddler, I had to go outside of the country.
I think Katherine and Josh are very warm hearted people and whether they adopt here in the U.S. or another country is their choice. There are certainly more poverty stricken areas in other countries and if they want to save a little girl from being raised in such an environment, I commend them. Maybe some people here in the U.S. didn't have to wait very long to adopt a child from the U.S. but there are many others that have had to wait years for an adoption to go through. I have friends that took in a 5 day old little girl born from parents that are drug addicts/criminals and in jail. The system here in the U.S. needs to be reconstructed as they are still waiting for the adoption to take place almost 4 years later!! Any child no matter where they are born deserves a good family life.
I always love the comments about how we should look 'in the states' instead of going overseas. This isn't patriotism or favoritism. If a child ANYWHERE needs a home, what right do you have to say that we should only get one from this location instead of that one. It's an insane notion, if you think about it. What is this, Buy American?
WOW..... Such harsh words! Everyone is entitled to their opinions! It should also be based on personal experience and knowledge.
For those that speak of US adoptions, and why don't more people adopt from here..... First... every state has it's own rules/laws. There are variations. I tried to adopt from my east coast state. I was told that I would be put at the end of the list being single (female). Then if I was matched or called, it could take up to 5 years to adopt. In other words.... It could be up to 5 years for the child's parent(s) to recover or get it together, and be able to take the child back. "PERSONALLY" I could not handle that. As far as some speaking about the US is 2 or 3 times harder then internationally..... NOT necessarily true. I did end up adopting from Russia. It was full of RED tape, tons of paperwork for BOTH sides of the POND, uncertainty at every turn, and getting the O.K. from not one country but TWO.
SO..... Congrats to ANY CHILD that finds a FOREVER Family/Home! Try not to quickly judge. There are always reasons why.......
My wife and I are just about ready to travel to adopt a group of siblings from South America. Our choice to adopt internationally from South America was not influenced by the level of difficulty or "red tape" in one country or another but because we have a desire to be a multi-cultural family ourselves and have a heart for Latin American culture in general and South American in particular.
With the amount of time it has taken us and the number of government agencies in two countries over the past 3 years that have our fingerprints, criminal background checks, psychological evaluations, income statements, religious backgrounds, reference letters from countless friends and family, etc., and with the USA recently becoming a Hague nation (which puts a whole new set of rules on international adoption), I seriously would like to dispel the myth that it is "easy" to adopt internationally v. domestically. Different, certainly, but by no means "easy."
However, all that being said, when I was e-mailed new pictures of my kids last week and I saw their beautiful faces and each of their unique smiles, who cares about the level of difficulty anyway! Your children are you children no matter where they come from and no matter how long it takes or who the heck wants your fringerprints! Adoption is a beautiful way to become a family!
Congratulations to Katherine, Josh, and little Leigh!
I am adopted and so is my little sister. My five older siblings are not. Since my parents already had five children and they were older, they were forced to look abroad to adopt where the restrictions are not as ridgid. Yes, American children are in need of homes, but not all parents who have the heart are deemed suitable parents for these children. My father (a doctor) and my mother (a stay at home mom) were lumped into that catagory. Its a shame because they would have adopted many more children if not for the restrictions placed on potential adoptive couples. The strain of having to travle abroad to adopt forced my parents to stop after my little sister was brought home from Russia (the same orphanage I was adopted out of). Leaving seven children behind was hard to say the least, and taking us along was impossiable. I think that ANY adoption that takes place is an amazing thing. Plus...who gave any of us the right to judge what is a DEEPLY personal choice for any couple.
there are children in the US but there are so many things that stand in the way of adoption here. also, if you knew anything about international adoptions, you'd realize that these children have little to no hope of survival without adoption.
my siblings and i were all adopted, from the us, i think people should try to adopt here first, the problem is people want newborns of a specific race or gender
Adoption in the States is difficult. I know a couple where the real father was out of the picture and her husband now decided to adopt the kids he was already raising. The background checks and scrutiny were unbelievable. Luckily, he hung in there and after a year and a half of the "red tape", the adoption was final. I am afraid all of that turns people off on the idea of taking a child into their home. Granted, there are some homes that children should never be in, but I think it would be nice if it were a little less complicated-more people might actually adopt even the older ones......
i am sick of hearing criticisms on international adoption. There are way too many legal complications in US with a baby's biological parents. it's more common than you think. it's not an easy way out to adopt from korea. you just don't want people to take your family away just because they are biologically related. the system makes so much more difficult to make families in US.
Meredith and marquee, a child in need is a child in need, no matter where they live. Good for this couple for making that number one less!
I think it is wonderful that she and her husband are adopting. It does not matter where the child came from. Trying to adopt in the United States is like hitting the lottery, chances are it won't happen! Congrats to the both of them and I wish them the best!
Our biggest hurdle in adopting domestically was racist social workers in Philadelphia's Department of Human Services who literally one-half hour before final placement cancelled the placement of a (black) child into our (white) home. We fought unsuccessfully for him for months. We eventually adopted a mixed-race infant without a problem. But the first child remains unadopted 5 years later. Criminal.
Not quite sure why these Hollywood stars always adopt from overseas. Why not try the USA first! They should all be required to watch " A Home for the Holidays".
Marquee,
Please say that to a couple who has been struggling with infertility for 8 years and in the state system for 2 years trying to adopt a child! You obviously have no idea what people go through to adopt children. There are not plenty of people in the US wanting to "get rid of them" because the US goverment will put them on Medicaid, give them food stamps and WIC funds, allow them to live in government housing, and subsidize their childrens' education. That's why there are not as many infants for adoption in the US. That's why there are so many toddlers and school aged children because after the government has taken the parents on "payroll" for a few years and they can't get their act together, then the government will terminate parental rights and are left with a child that has been emotionally and probably physically abused. Those are the children that are most prevalently available for adoption in the US through the government, and those children unfortnately are difficult to place because they have issues that not every parent is ready to handle.
Trust me when I say, the baby they are adopting from Korea is most likely in an orphanage where only their most basic needs are being met. They are not being played with, loved on, or even taught how to interact with other people. They are not going to someone's home in Korea to pick up a baby, they are rescuing a baby from a stark institutionalized life.
Adoption does have a financial component, and I dare say that anyone who has depleted their savings (as we have for our daughter's adoption) would not hesitate to spend that money all over again. Until you realize that adoption is not "buying" a child, it is giving a child who has NOTHING a chance to have something, then you need to stay out of the adoption conversation. It is painfully obvious that you know nothing about what adoption really is or how it works.
I'm with you Meredith...there are A LOT of US Children that need homes. She has lost my interest in seeing anything that she stars in from now on, just like Brad and Angelina. I don't watch their movies anymore because they support foreign children instead of our own.
My personal experience has been one to the contrary on the difficulty of adopting an American child. My wife and I are nearing the end of adopting our second little girl from within, not only the country, but within our own community. (All within 2 1/2 years) Our first child, we picked up from the hospital when she was 4-days old. Our second came to us when she was 15-months old, after being in the foster-care system. We found that she actually came back to us. We found that we'd actually received a phone call when she was a newborn, but I was already out of bandwidth with a 3-month old at the time. Now "the sisters" are growing up like twins – that are 3 months apart. Signed - Happy Daddy!
I love that people are using the word "belittle" in regards to Meredith's comment. Where in her comment did she say ANYTHING bad about the Kelleys? She just merely stated that she thought there were plenty of children here who need a home just as badly...blowing things out of proportion helps no one's case...she is just stating her opinion, and being attacked for it. Lighten up guys!
Great, one more mind she can poison with her lack of verbal self control. Maybe they should all move to South Carolina and yell at the President at inappropriate times...
Clearly those who have comments about international vs. US adoptions haven't gone through the process...
The US adoption process is tough-and it should be. We adopted a child many years ago- and while it felt very invasive...I'm glad to know that folks were checking us out. (I think every potential parent should get to go through that process...but alas, I digress). Anyway, we began the procedures in May and our darling little girl was born in March of the following year. Perfect timing-perfect child. Adoption is clearly a choice–and folks, if you've not gone through it- don't assume and pass around bad information...it could hinder someone who is thinking about making that choice- and that would hurt a child.
I agree with Meredith, while it's great that they're adopting, there are tons of children in the states in need of a home. Too many famous people are jetting off to other countries to adopt a child instead of right here in the states.
Red tape or not, adopt here, not overseas.
Katherine & Josh.. Congratulations... What a blessing!
And to Meredith.. Its makes me sooo angry to hear people like you complain and condescend others because they choose to adopt outside the US. Yes, there are thousands of kids here in the US ready to be adopted. But, maybe your complaint should be directed to our wonderful government. They are the ones who put up the red tape. We know it’s in the best interest of the child, but those poor kids and young adults, are just slipping through the system and growing up in the system with no hope of ever being adopted. Why?? Because we all want babies!!! We all want a child that we can help shape into a good human being. Not all are prepared to handle a child with problems. Which sadly is the case, there are more kids in the system with mental and health problems.
I'm proud and so happy that Katherine & John were able to adopt. Its one less child in the world who has to go without. Frankly, we should all be happy for that.
Lisa,
It's much more doable then you realize. Our adoption was less than what I paid for the car in my drivieway and that's the approach you need for the expenses. You don't put it all out at once. Some you pay up front, some you pay along the way and then there is usually a larger payment at the end. We used a line of credit for that and paid it like any other loan. Take a second look, don't deny some little one your love.
As previous posts have clearly stated, adoption in the US is not easy. The government gives biological parents change after chance after chance to change their lives which leaves prospective adoptive parents in limbo for many years in some cases. As another previous post states, it is extremely expensive to adopt in the US and internationally.
My caution, to those of you who post without understanding the systems of adoption whether in the US or internationally, is please do not comment on how other people decide to conduct their lives. It does not matter where a child is born, they all deserve the same respect and chance for a good life in a loving family.
I am a US adoptee who has adopted a daughter internationally. I have seen the pitfalls of each system, and I know first hand the expenses of each system. I would adopt internationally again without hesitation and would spend the same amount of money again.
It does not take that long to adopt a baby in the US. Study up on the l laws of your state, before you pass on urban myths about adoption in the USA. My wife and I adopted a baby in California in less than 6 months from when we started. It is not impossible to do it. Once a adoption is finalized in CA, unless you have been dishonest there is no way the biological parents can reclaim their rights.
Explain why it is 10 times harder? What do you mean by that?
Congrats for them.
In regard to Marquee's comment about paying a family to give them one, the majority of the adopting cost is not to pay the family, the money is used for the paperwork involved, social worker's involvement and the airfare to bring the baby to the US. Let's not lose sight of the positivity that is coming out of this process . . .
Is there something wrong with adopting a child in the U.S. Everytime some famous person adopts a child it is almost always from either asia or africa. There are plenty of children right here in the good ole USA who need homes too!
Katherine Heigl is more trouble than she is worth. "Grey's" should dump her high maintenance toosh to the curb. (but yay for baby!)
With all the bureaucratic redtape it takes too long to adopt a baby here, unless you do direct open adoption. But if their intention were to adopt from Korea in the first place then who are we to judge? All children are blessings Korean or American.
The reason why many couples adopt abroad is because the adoption laws in America is not only an extremely long process but the laws are tough & strict which make the adoption process in America less desirable. The fact that Josh & Katherine are adopting is great no matter where the homeless baby is coming from.
They're not "having" a baby. They're paying a family to give them one. There are plenty of children in the United States whose parents want to get rid of them. Why follow mom and dad's trend of buying a Korean baby? Ms. Heigl, there is probably a child in Los Angeles who needs you more.
I hope this does not re-spark the whole debate of US adoption vs. international adoption. I'm tired of hearing people who have never adopted telling people who adopt how to form their families. This stuff is personal.
More families could choose adoption if it wasn't so expensive. My husband and I would have liked to adopt, but we couldn't afford it.
First of all, congratulations! I would love to adopt a baby but I am unable to because I am single. I will not get married just because I want to adopt a child though because that would not do the child or I justice. It is sad that there is so much red tape but I can understand that they need regulations but maybe some of the regulations should be loosened up a bit.
Meredith,
I adopted my daughter from China. Yes, there are many children here who need homes but it is, as Amanda states, 10 times harder - especially if you wish to adopt as a single parent. And, you also run the risk of the biological parent coming in and "reclaiming" their rights and taking the children.
I think its great that they're having a baby now.....Congratulation!!
I think its stupid. adopt a kid here in the US
Adoption in the US, especially through private agencies, is a huge RACKET! It, unfortunately, supports a lot of inept "social workers" with preconceived ideas as to who will make the best parents. We adopted an 11 year old with MR, via the State agency, after 3 lost years with an idiot social worker at a private agency. The kids in the US are stuck in a terrible system rather than going to caring. loving homes...No wonder folks go outside the country! Best of luck to Katherine...I hope she makes the time needed to provide a good home for her new child, rather than leaving it to a nanny! -Donna and Dennis Hubbs, Bloomfield, CT
I am happy for them and if this child (who I hear is disabled) gets a good home that is all that matters.
Congrats to the new family!
As an adoptive mother from within the states and an aunt to an adopted child from abroad, adoption is an easy choice to make but so hard to achieve. Either way is filled with red tape, great expense and long waits. Anyone willing to go through such lengths to be a parent will be a good one!
Adoption is a personal choice. It is not right to say what program someone should do. People need to pick what's right for them. We are adopting an older child from a Polish orphanage. After a lot of research, we decided that was the right choice for us.
Meredith – would you walk up to someone who is pregnant that they should've adopted a baby from the U.S. instead? Not everyone is prepared to adopt from the U.S. foster care system, and there will never be a shortage of parents waiting to adopt a healthy newborn privately. Meanwhile there are foreign orphanages full of children from babies to teenagers waiting for homes.
I think it's great they are adopting. And just for the record – adopting internationally is not cheaper than U.S., and it can take just as long. It depends on what the parameters for adoption are – what country, age, gender, health etc.
The reason people go out of the USA to adopt children is because here, you have to meet a should I dare say "criteria". You have to have over $25g and the odds of getting an infant are very rare. We have children from birth to 17yrs old wanting to be adopted here and our agencies want to scalp you just for the "pleasure" of adopting an american child. In the meantime children are lost in the system waiting for nothing. We have too many greedy lawyers and adoption agencies trying to make a buck out of desperate folks wanting a child. And the waiting list is: 1) if you are childless,up to five years for a child under five. 2) if you have a child already,you are put way down on the list. In third world countries, they are just lookig for someone to save a child. Its too bad we cant be like that....
I agree with CC. Giving a child a home is an awesome gift, wherever they are from.
I'm sure adopting outside of the US happens often with high profile people because of all of the legal hassle. Parental rights and regulations are usually a big concern for anyone... and most likely only that much worse for celebrities. The sad reality is, how many Americans would be trying to find a way to get something out of it if they found out their biological child was adopted by a movie star?
Whether to adopt and if so from where is a personal choice. It's no one's business. For all you critics out there who claim they should have sought a child in the US, how do you know they didn't? And how many kids have YOU adopted lately? Get a life!
That's great! I don't see the need to judge anyone's decision about adopting from either the US or abroad. The decision to have a child - whether through adoption or other means - is very personal. This is the decision that they have made for themselves, and it should be celebrated! 🙂
Congrats!
I think this is sickening. We have thousands of children right here in the United states who need a loving home to go to. However, I am happy that children are being put into homes with loving parents. I just wish the celebrity trend was to adopt American children too..
Now maybe she can blame her so so acting on parenthood instead of on the writers
Myself was adopted and there is a special place in my heart for adoptees and the families that decide to adopted. I know they will give that child a great home and shower her with love. I am proud of them for going this route....international or domestic all babies need to be loved.
When adopting parents in the US have more rights than the birth parents there will be more domestic adoptions. As it stands the hearts and pocketbooks of adopting parents are abused here. Reform is necessary for progress. The foster and adopted children here have rights that are being neglected too, the right to a stable home without question as to where they belong. They need assurances that home is home and no one (birth parents/families whom custody was stripped) will take their newfound security away.
And in the US, after all the time and money spent, there's a chance your adoption is overturned or you end up having to share visitation rights with the birth parent(s). Adoption/birth records aren't always sealed. Try explaining to a four year old what's going on, try explaining to a young adult why their sudden insistence on being a mommy is disruptive. Try getting a social worker to listen to you when the state thinks blood means more than the official legal adoption you spent thousands of dollars on when adopting a US child.
So they adopted from overseas – one more homeless child loved and cared for.
I work in the field of adoption, specifically international adoption, and let me say, the red tape in terms of preparation is actually greater for most international adoptions. The time is often longer as well. However, there are many other factors that can influence one's decision on how, when and where to adopt. Perhaps she wanted to honor her sister's culture? Maybe she is worried about privacy or other issues resulting from American birthparents who might resurface after the adoption (particularly from someone in the spotlight like she is). Let her make the decision that is right for her and for her family. Adoption is a loving thing to do, be it international or domestic, and these decisions are different for each family.
It is sooooooo much easier and cheaper to go to other countries. the U.S.A. is the hardest country to adopt a child. Seems very unfair and disheartening.
Dear Meredith,
How wonderful that you are interested in domestic adoption! Here is the website of the adoption agency our family used. http://www.chsfs.org
They're one of the oldest, largest, most established agencies in the country. Please contact them and get back to the rest of us about all the children you find available for adoption. I'll be very curious to hear what you discover!
Best wishes in your plans to adopt children from the U.S. who need a home. I'm so glad you care about them.
Oh, Meredith!
Meredith and Diane, hoe many children from ANYWHERE have adopted (saved)? None, thought so. The USA has different rules and procedures that make adoption far more difficult and that is why people go outside the U.S., but keep throwing your stones at glass houses.
Who cares where the baby is from???? A child is a child no matter where he or she is born and many times adopting from other countries is quicker less paper work...Kudos for a couple for giving a kid a home and TLC!
Creating a family is a deeply personal decision. Adopting in the US or abroad takes time and commitment. How wonderful their baby will have an aunt who shares a similar story! Anyone who talks about people should adopt a child in the US should be first in line to commit themselves to doing it.
Congratulations!!
Kudos to Jackie and Laura L, your comments are so very true. and my hat off to Katherine and Josh for adopting a child, there are so many children out there that need good homes !!!
With my wife and I having adopted two newborn infants right here in the USA, I can say that –
1. it's extremely easy to adopt in the states,
2. the money spent in the states versus overseas can be within the same range of 17k to 45k unless you go through the state agencies where it's essentially free.
3. We were on the waiting list for 2 weeks for each one
4. The degree of openness plays a HUGE part in how fast you are able to adopt. People that stipulate race, color, health, etc... will wait generally longer.
5. We went with the USA since we were led in that direction. Some choose overseas, some choose here, either way you're helping children so it's all good!
Meredith, as a current foster care parent for the past 7 years i agree with you but people want little ones and little ones are hard to come by in the states. So if you look at the whole picture, people who are adopting from overseas are not doing anything wrong !
All children need homes...and loving parents. God bless anyone who chooses adoption & the biological mothers who give them life. Every situation is different so I'm saddened by people who judge without knowing how people come to the decision to adopt or WHERE they adopt. God made us all different for a reason, and we each have different calling. I
There are children that SHOULD be adopted here in the US, but you don't understand what you have to go through to get them. We have to go through so much paperwork, and evaluations by social workers and the courts for them to decide that two working professionals can have a baby. Many of the girls having them can't take care of them and shouldn't take care of them and don't get analyzed.
Adopt American .....cause we sure can't buy anything made in America...
probably her vanity kicked in and she didn't want the pregnancy and the stretch marks to hurt her market value. Sorry for being cynical but she strikes me as that type of person.
The reality is for celebrities in the US that it's incredibly easy to be taken advantage of by a potential birth mother. Adopting abroad relieves a lot of that worry.
I agree with you Meredith. Where would my husband be if he hadn't been adopted? Thank god his parents didn't decide to take the easy route and go to China or Russia or Korea.
Meredith – you are clearly odd man out here. I agree with the others. First, who are you to judge? Even if you HAVE adopted from the US (my guess is you haven't), that still does not give you the right to judge others. Adoption is not an easy process – regardless of who you are or what brought you to that decision. Many couples adopt after struggling for years with infertility and just want to bring a child home. Why belittle any one else's decisions? And, if you'd been in those shoes, you'd know better than to do so.
Congrats.
Adopting a child in the US is twice or three times as much as anywhere else !!
Adoption is a huge committment of time, money, and emotion. While it would be nice if all needy American children could be adopted, we should be happy as a global society when any child finds a loving home. We should be happy for them and happy for the child.
I agree that there are tons of children here in the states that need to be adopted. The problem is that this government makes it 10 times harder to adopt a child from here then from a different country. Also they make is cost much more as well. Makes no sense to me!
Yes Meredith there are children here in the states, but it usually takes a longer time to adopt in the states. And what makes you think that this Korean baby is any less deserving than an American baby. All these children are innocent and deserve a loving home.
Meredith you are wrong. Have you yourself adopted in the US or anywhere else? There are plenty of TEENAGERS available for adoption in the US, not little kids. You shouldn't belittle someone because they do not feel they can take on a kid with years of abuse and neglect behind them, behavioral and emotional problems, etc. That's why people get babies from overseas or go to invitro fertilization, because the average waiting list is 4 years for a baby in the US. I adopted a child from Romania.
I wish adoption in the states was easier, but the fact is that there is far less red tape when adopting from abroad. Good for them, it is nice to see people that have been blessed give back some of the good fortune blessed upon them.
I think adoption is wonderful. I knew her sister must have been adopted. I do think people should try to adopt from our country also but I heard the red tape is too much to handle here. It is ashame that people (especially celebrities) go outside the great USA to find children when there are hundreds of thousands right here in the great country where these people make their money, that they could adopt. Maybe she doesn't realize there are Korean children here who need to be adopted? Let's help our own people for once!
Congratulations!!
Yes, Meredith, there are a lot of children in this country that need a home, but a homeless child is a homeless child, no matter what country they are from. Millions of them die every year, in every country (including this one). But the Kelleys are providing a good home for one; one more life saved from starvation, disease, and lack of care.
And in doing so, they are publicizing the need for good homes for children everywhere.
There are so many children that need loving families.
I wish more parents/parents-to-be would choose to adopt.
At the end of the day, children in need of a home are children in need of a home, regardless of where they live in this world.
congrats to katherine and her hubby...adoption is a wonderful thing, whether its abroad or here.. best wishes to the happy couple and the soon to be happy family.
I think its wonderful that their having a baby. I just want to wish them good luck with Leigh. ^_^
I think there are plenty of children here in the states that need a home just as badly.