Several people who know we are adopting again have recently inquired about where we are in the process.  We appreciate the love and support friends and family offer as we wait for what seems like forever.   We appreciate the prayers on our behalf and our child's behalf.  And questions are okay.  We don't mind answering questions, but what is bothersome is some of the comments we hear like "I don't understand why the Chinese government can't move faster," or "You'd think the Chinese would want to find homes for those children," or "Why do the Chinese have to make it so difficult and complicated."  When these comments are made, we hear presumptuous blame being put on our daughter's birth country, blame that they do not deserve.  It is insensitive at best.  So, I thought I might clear a few things up for those who might inquire as to why the wait time has increased.

Before I share my understanding of what is happening, let me say that there is no one specific reason for the increased wait time. 

First, the number of adoptive parent applicants has increased beyond expectation.  In comparison to other international adoption programs, China has proved to be more reliable.  The process is relatively smooth.  The children are taken care of and healthy.  Overall, China has a wonderful social welfare system.  Hence, many adoptive families are choosing to adopt from China, so the wait has become longer.

And yes, there are many children in China needing to be adopted, but they are not paper ready.  International law requires a child have a birth certificate.  This is not just Chinese law.  And just like in the U.S., processing paperwork requires money.  For every child in a Chinese social welfare institute (SWI), the SWI must pay $300 for the child's birth certificate.  SWI's do not have $300/child.   Also, not all SWI's are legally set up for their children to be adopted.  There is a legal process that must be followed- kind of sounds like the U.S., yes?  The Chinese and others are around the world are working hard to get these SWI's certified and get birth certificates for the children.

Another factor is the increase in domestic adoption in China.  This is a good thing!  Laws are changing.  Many people assume that a one child policy exists for all of China - not true!  In some areas, Chinese families are being encouraged to adopt children from the SWI's. 

 There is also speculation that the Olympics being hosted in Beijing has slowed things down.  I do not know how true this is.  We will see if processing speeds up after August.

I'm not even sure how to end this.  I do know that my hubby and I are somewhat tired of hearing the critical remarks regarding China.  It gets old, and what sounds like arrogance behind the judgments gets old.  But what I do know is that we will continue to try to help people understand the international adoption process, and we will quickly admit that we do not understand it all.