My last post in my Transracial Adoption ABCs for the letter "T" is going to be on adoption travel. Travel is a huge part of almost any adoption, and it can be a wonderful and exciting part, and also a stressful and very challenging part of your adoption experience.

Travel - Unless you are doing a foster adoption or domestic infant adoption from a very local agency, it is very likely that your adoption will involve some travel. While there are still some international adoption programs that allow children to be escorted home to their new parents, however this is becoming less frequent, and most agencies and programs highly encourage parents to travel whenever possible.

Travel for an international adoption can be exciting or terrifying, depending on the feelings of the parents and their experiences (or lack thereof) with international travel. For many, the adoption trip is a first experience in traveling to a new country.

When you take all of the emotions and challenges of getting a new child of any age, and then combine it with all of the stress, tiredness and emotions of international travel, you can see why adoption trips can be stressful and difficult. Parenting new children in a new environment can be tough for even the most experienced parents.

However, international adoption travel also has many benefits and blessing. Adoptive parents get a unique opportunity to get firsthand knowledge of and experience with their child's culture. Pictures can be taken, caregivers can be met, souvenirs can be purchased and many other opportunities exist to build memories that will be priceless when your child is older.

Traveling for your adoption also allows your child to start to bond with you in their familiar territory. For a short while, the language your child is hearing (from everyone else) is familiar, the foods are familiar, the customs are familiar, etc.

For us, our adoption trips have been amazing and life-changing. They have given us the opportunity to see places, meet people and experience things that we likely never would have otherwise. We gained deeper knowledge of the places our children are from and deeper love for the people and the culture. My thoughts and views on many things changed after my trips to Vietnam and Ethiopia.

While many parents have concerns about leaving their other children at home while they travel or just have fears about traveling, there are many ways to ease your anxieties and fears.

Being prepared for your adoption trip is the most important thing that you can do. If you know what to expect regarding weather, culture, food, poverty, etc., it all won't be quite as overwhelming when you get there. If you talk to other adoptive parents about their trips and get an idea of what to expect, it will help you be ready. If you have a great packing list and travel prepared, it will make things a lot easier for you.

My advice is that if you have the opportunity to travel for your child's adoption, then do it. As a mom of 10, I know how challenging it can be to get away. I know that leaving kids behind while you travel is super hard, both logistically and emotionally. I know how tempting the option is to have your child escorted when that option is available (and for some families, it is just the best choice, which is OK).

Whenever possible, I encourage you to embrace the chance to travel for your adoption. It will be stressful and challenging at times. It will be tiring. It will be overwhelming. But it will also be an amazing experience and opportunity to be united with your child in their first country and culture, and despite the challenges, it is likely to be an experience you treasure always.

Resources:
Tips for Your Adoption Travel - Part One

Tips for Your Adoption Travel - Part Two

Tips for Your Adoption Travel - Part Three