After seeing several posts on forums inquiring about what to take on the pick up trip, I’ve compiled a list that may be helpful. If anyone would like to make additional suggestions, please add them in the comments section.

For You:

1. First and foremost, get all your paperwork organized in a binder, preferably in page protectors so it will be easy to find each page. Put everything you need in this binder and guard it with your life. 2. Pack a camera along with extra batteries or chargers. The electricity there is the same as here.... more

If you decide to adopt from Guatemala, you are not required to travel to meet your child. However, many people in the adoption community strongly recommend that parents do travel to meet their children in their birth country, even when this is not required.

Meeting the child on his “home turf” is less traumatizing for the child. When a child meets his adoptive parents in the only place that he has ever called home, he can focus on the new people who plan to become his... more