Save the Children

We are all certainly being bombarded with images of Haitian children in distress.

And there are news segments left and right about what we can all do to save the children of Haiti.

And then there's the story of the completely idiotic, irresponsible, and half-baked plan those Idahoans had to go and gather up a bunch of Haitian children and leave the country with them. (Seriously...I have no words. Well, I have words. I'm afraid they would not only be offensive but also not very cohesive at this point.)

Here's the thing.

I see, all over the internet and on TV, folks who are suddenly all about adopting Haitian orphans. Folks who are suddenly almost desperate the start the process, asking questions about the how-tos. Folks who obviously have not researched this before and wouldn't know an I-171-H from a W2. It's all a moot point because Haiti will not being processing new applications any time soon, which is a whole 'nother issue that makes my heart go out to PAP's who were awaiting referrals from Haiti, but I must say I find it all a bit disturbing on a few levels.

You know how they say that you shouldn't just go out and get a bunny for your kid for Easter because it is cute and all Easter-ish? How when folks do that, the bunnies often end up being tossed aside at a later date when they turn out to be a lot of work or grow up and lose the "cute factor"? Well, it bothers me when folks who have never given serious thought or attention to adoption suddenly want to do it to "save the children" they see on TV. Adoption is serious business. This isn't like picking up a puppy from the pound. There are issues in play that require a lot of thought and education. Trans-cultural adoption is even more complicated. Many of these children are not infants and it really isn 't as simple as plopping a five year old from a foreign country into your family, buying him some new clothes and taking him to Mickey D's, and then hoping for the best. Not to mention his gratitude that he has been "saved".

I hope that when the dust settles, there are some folks who never thought about adoption until now who do decide that this is what they really and truly want to do. But I don't think it is wise to pursue adoption just to save a child. There has to be a part of you that is being saved as well. Adoption is forever and you have to be in it for the long haul because it is hard. Do it because you really, really want it deep down in your heart not because you feel sorry for a situation you saw on Anderson 360.

And as for those 10 jackasses who tried to "save the children" by illegally leaving the country with them, I finally found a few presentable words. Great job. Way to make international adoption, especially from Haiti, more tenuous than it already was. Hopefully the shut down won't be permanent and the Haitian govt. won't hold this against Americans for too long.

If you are a PAP who was anxiously awaiting your first referral from Haiti...or nearing the completion of your dossier for Haiti, my heart absolutely aches for you. I hope Haiti can find a way to continue the program with those children already identified as elligible for international adoption. And I hope you hold your child soon.