How much?!
One of the most frequent questions we are asked about adoption is "How much does it cost?" It's usually prefaced with, "I don't want to be rude, but..."
Ask away, friends. I (obviously) love sharing this journey. I don't think that question is rude. It shows curiosity, and there is nothing wrong with that. I'm just thankful that when I was pregnant with J & E y'all didn't ask, "I don't want to be rude, but....how much weight have you gained?" I don't think I would have been as accepting of that question.
The short answer (to the money question, not the weight question) is: A LOT.
The long answer is: A LOT. International adoption is a lengthy and detailed process that involves the governments of two different countries. That itself is sufficient to make the fees quite hefty. Payment goes to our adoption agency, our home study agency, US Immigration, Bulgaria's government (orphan care fees, translation services, attorney fees, processing fees, etc., etc.,) an international pediatrician, travel fees (plane tickets, hotel, food, translator, driver, etc.) and more. Add in the sneaky small costs that pile up as we have to redo steps like fingerprints, getting paperwork notarized, and visiting our new friends at UPS, and we are looking at the cost of a four-year in-state college education. Should we be blessed with siblings, the amount does not double, but it does increase significantly. And in super fun news, we also need to buy a minivan. I hear they're pretty sweet. Swagger wagon, y'all.
We don't have an exact amount right now, because we don't know how many times we will need to update our home study and travel costs are always changing. Overall, we expect the total to be around $35,000 for one child and closer to $50,000 for two.
We are taking steps to save/earn that money, and the cost doesn't stop when the adoption is finalized. Not only because we have extra mouths to feed, clothes to buy, and college tuitions to save for, but also because we are required to complete multiple post-adoption reports (which include social worker visits) over the first 2 years.
So, now you know. Adoption costs a lot. Not all countries are this expensive. Some are much more so. When we first made this decision and discussed the finances, Caleb said, "These kids are priceless."
Isn't he the best?
I cried. And I have clung to that every time we look at the budget. These kids are priceless. Our kids are priceless. All kids are priceless. We will jump through hoops and sign documents until we have carpel tunnel syndrome and walk through fire and pay, pay, pay. We love these kids.
Adoption takes a long time and costs a lot. And it is totally worth it. And I haven't gained any weight at all since we started.
Thanks for being on this journey with us.
Ask away, friends. I (obviously) love sharing this journey. I don't think that question is rude. It shows curiosity, and there is nothing wrong with that. I'm just thankful that when I was pregnant with J & E y'all didn't ask, "I don't want to be rude, but....how much weight have you gained?" I don't think I would have been as accepting of that question.
The short answer (to the money question, not the weight question) is: A LOT.
The long answer is: A LOT. International adoption is a lengthy and detailed process that involves the governments of two different countries. That itself is sufficient to make the fees quite hefty. Payment goes to our adoption agency, our home study agency, US Immigration, Bulgaria's government (orphan care fees, translation services, attorney fees, processing fees, etc., etc.,) an international pediatrician, travel fees (plane tickets, hotel, food, translator, driver, etc.) and more. Add in the sneaky small costs that pile up as we have to redo steps like fingerprints, getting paperwork notarized, and visiting our new friends at UPS, and we are looking at the cost of a four-year in-state college education. Should we be blessed with siblings, the amount does not double, but it does increase significantly. And in super fun news, we also need to buy a minivan. I hear they're pretty sweet. Swagger wagon, y'all.
We don't have an exact amount right now, because we don't know how many times we will need to update our home study and travel costs are always changing. Overall, we expect the total to be around $35,000 for one child and closer to $50,000 for two.
We are taking steps to save/earn that money, and the cost doesn't stop when the adoption is finalized. Not only because we have extra mouths to feed, clothes to buy, and college tuitions to save for, but also because we are required to complete multiple post-adoption reports (which include social worker visits) over the first 2 years.
So, now you know. Adoption costs a lot. Not all countries are this expensive. Some are much more so. When we first made this decision and discussed the finances, Caleb said, "These kids are priceless."
Isn't he the best?
I cried. And I have clung to that every time we look at the budget. These kids are priceless. Our kids are priceless. All kids are priceless. We will jump through hoops and sign documents until we have carpel tunnel syndrome and walk through fire and pay, pay, pay. We love these kids.
Adoption takes a long time and costs a lot. And it is totally worth it. And I haven't gained any weight at all since we started.
Thanks for being on this journey with us.
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