Frequently Asked Questions, Page 2

How many children have been adopted from Kazakhstan in the US?
The following figures are from the US Department of State (DOS) Visa Statistics , US DOS Intercountry Adoption (for world numbers and other countries) and International Adoptions from Kazakhstan .

Fiscal Year	IR-3 Visas	IR-4 Visas	Total Visas	Ranking	World Total
1996	0	1	1	not listed	10,641
1997	23	3	26	not listed	12,746
1998	44	10	54	not listed	15,774
1999	110	3	113	> than 12th	16,363
2000	394	4	398	10th	17,718
2001	657	15	672	8th	19,237
2002	799	20	819	6th	20,099
2003	803	22	825	5th	21,616
2004	823	3	826	5th	22,911
2005	755	0	755	6th	22,728
2006	587	0	587	6th	20,679
2007	540	0	540	8th	19,613
2008	380	0	380	8th	17,438
2009	298	0	298	10th	12,753
2010	182	0	182		11,100

Notes about data in the table:
*IR-3 visas are issued to orphans adopted abroad (most families).
*IR-4 visas are issued to orphans brought to the US and then "readopted".
*Ranking: top countries of origin; China has been 1st since 2000, Russia (1st in 1997-1999, 3rd in 2006-2007, 2nd the other years, 3rd in 2009 and 2010), S. Korea (3rd in 1995-2001, 4th 2002-2006 and 2009-2010) and Guatemala (4th 1997-2001, 3rd 2002-2005, 2nd in 2006-2007, 5th in 2009); Ethiopa is on the rise (in the bottom ten from 2000-03, 9th on 2004, 7th in 2005, 5th in 2006, 2nd in 2009 and 2010).
*World Total: total number of orphans adopted abroad by US citizens.
*In January 1999 a law went into effect that recognized adoption by foreigners and required a court proceeding. Prior to that date, the law did not mention foreign adoptions as either legal or illegal; foreign adoptions were approved by local administrators (akims).
*Through the 2009 fiscal year there have been a total of 6228 orphans adopted from Kazakhstan by US citizens.

I want to make a baby book/lifebook for my child, but I can't find anything appropriate for international adoption.
Each of the companies below have adoption and/or multicultural products. Many of these now have a "Kazakhstan" sticker that is flanked by flags. Some offer products for single parents.

Scrap and Tell specializes in adoption, has free words in Russian that you can print out and Kazakhstan items.
Tapestry Books has a listing of sources for lifebooks.
Adopt Shoppe has links and hints.
This Is Me adoption life book, published by AdoptShoppe Press.
Adoption Lifebooks is a book that guides you in making your own. This mom adopted from Kazakhstan.
Creations by You : make your own book, photoalbum, calendar; many other personalized items.
Adorable Adoptees memory book.
Dream Kidz has a Hold on Tight To Your Dream lifebook. They don't have one specifically for Kazakhstan, but they are willing to do it if you can provide information and pictures.
Once upon a Lifetime custom made hardcover adoption lifebooks.
Lone Tree Publishing has A Book About You adoption keepsake book, in versions for single and 2 parent families.
Digital Scrapbook Kits has several for adoption and Russia.
There are Yahoo Groups: International Lifebooks , Adoption Lifebook (not very active in the last few years), Make a Life Book , Adoption Scrapbooking Forum , Scrapbooks for a child (not very active in the last few years) and Adoption Lifebooks .
You can create a digital/online version and have it published through services like Shutterfly or Heritage Makers

How can I organize all the suggestions I find on the e-mail lists?
The amount of information you can find on the various e-mail lists can be overwhelming. The Yahoo groups are at least archived, but wading through lots of old messages can be time consuming and frustrating. Create a word processing document, then copy and paste what you want to keep into it, making categories as you accumulate information. The categories might include: travel (airlines, airports, travel agents, hotels, restaurants, etc.), medical (adoption specialists, resources, terminology, etc.), post-adoption (social security, citizenship, readoption). Make as many pages as you need to enable you to find the information quickly when you need it. Organize your online links the same way into folders in your favorite browser.

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Any suggestions on what to do while I am waiting on paperwork or to travel?

Cook meals and put them in the freezer for those days after you come home and just don't feel like cooking. There is even a Yahoo group Friendly-Freezer .
Do spring cleaning, even if it is the dead of winter. It may be a long time before you will have much free time. Have the house painted, carpets cleaned, what ever needs to be done. Also do a safety check as appropriate for the age of child: gates on stairs, cabinet latches, lock up guns, etc.
Prepare the child's room. If you are adopting an older child, leave some things that they can have a say in what it looks like. Keep it simple.
Shop: like I have to tell you to do this. Be cautious in buying clothing; it is sometimes difficult to figure out exactly what size to buy, and your child may experience rapid growth when he/she comes home. Don't go overboard buying toys: children raised in orphanages are not used to having anything and could easily get overwhelmed.
Find a pediatrician. Check out the FAQ How do I find a pediatrician?.
Make sure your immunizations are up to date. For example, Hepatitis takes multiple shots over 6 months.
If you will need childcare, get friends and neighbors suggestions and visit day care centers.
If your child is school-age, visit the school and discuss language issues, etc., and find out what resources they have available to help your child.
Talk to neighbors and friends to get names of baby sitters. You may not want to leave your child with someone else for a while, but you want to be prepared when the time comes.
Join an online mother's group in your child's age group; it will give you a good idea of the range of normal behavior and development. Try iVillage Parenting or Baby Center .
Acquire orphanage donations and gifts. If people want to help you with this, collect money instead of goods: easier to transport, will allow you to purchase what the orphanage really needs, and will support the local economy. Related FAQ: Does anyone have suggestions on what to take for gifts?
Talk to your bank about obtaining new currency for your trip. For more information, go to the FAQ Is it safe to carry all that money?
Make a list of everyone that you want to bring a souvenir back for. I did not do this and ended up forgetting a few people.
Start your packing list. For suggestions, see the Packing section.
Download applications for a social security number and a citizenship certificate. Research readoption in your state.
Check with your insurance company about how to add your child to health insurance. Prepare to add your new child to your will.
Find out what programs are available locally for children, such as museums, swimming lessons and day camps.
Exercise. You will do a lot of walking in Kazakhstan, so get used to it now. Climb stairs. If you are adopting a small child, work out your arms. Carry around a 5 lb. then 10 lb. sack of flour, put it in a snugglie.
Learn Russian. You should at least learn the alphabet (so that you can sound out street names) and common phrases (please, yes, no, thank you); The people in Kazakhstan will be pleased if you can learn these in Kazakh as well. The older your child is, the more important it is to try and learn some of their language. Look in the Language section for hints and resources on learning Russian and Kazakh.
If you have children that you are leaving at home, make living arrangements for them. If they are going to be staying somewhere else, have them spend the weekend there while you are still at home, to see how it goes. Tape yourself reading stories. If you decide to leave something for them to do every day (open a note, hang a paper chain, etc.), be sure that you leave extras in case your return is delayed. Write a medical power of attorney: FAQ Is there a legal document to give a caregiver authorization for medical treatment?
Order or create adoption announcements. Address the envelopes so that they are ready to send when you get back.
Look into an online photo album, such as Shutterfly, so that you can share the pictures of your new child. Look in the Shopping section for other companies that offer this service.
Sign up for free baby stuff and coupons. The company websites often have tons of information, especially useful for first time parents. You can do an internet search and find many sites that offer free coupons and products for children and parents; some of the offers have time limits. For babies: Similac (Ross Labs), Family Beginnings (from Mead Johnson, makers of Enfamil), Pampers , Huggies , Gerber food/Nestle Good Start , and Heinz food .
Start reading books on Kazakhstan, parenting, adoption. Look in the Bookstore for suggestions.
Other lists of suggestions are available from Blisstree.com (blog) and in an excerpt from the book Adopting a Toddler.
Read other blogs (Families) and think about what pictures you would like to have and make a list.

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What should I apply for first - proof of citizenship or a social security number? I would recommend getting the proof of citizenship first. If you apply for the SSN first, your child will be listed as an alien resident. You will then need to go back once you have the proof of citizenship to get them to change the status (this is only done in the computer; you won't get a new card or number) in their records. If it is close to the time that you need to file your income taxes, then you would need to get the SSN first. Go to the Post Adoption page for details on social security numbers and citizenship. As of January 2004, the USCIS is automatically mailing the Certificate of Citizenship.

My child weighs xxxx and is xxxx tall. What size of clothes and shoes should I buy? Children's clothes are sized no better than women's clothes; in other words, brands are not uniform in sizing: a size 10 in one brand is not the same as a size 10 in another. The best thing is to go by weight/height rather than age; this is true for any child, but especially for international adoption. For some examples of sizes, try one of the following sites.

Children's Clothes Size Guide shows a comparison between European, UK, and USA sizes. This site also offers charts for women and men.
Metrication lists clothing and shoe sizes for adults.
Kidstock has great size charts, from newborn to teen, for clothes, shoes and socks. Includes a European/US shoe size conversion.
Island Child has European and US sizing for children.
Brighton Area UK has a number of different clothing charts.
JC Penney children's sizing and JC Penney shoe sizes .
Carter's tend to run small.
Lands End sizes for all ages.
Gymboree has size charts for infants through 7 years. You need to click on an item of clothing to get to the charts.
Old Navy sizes for all ages.
Growing Kids has clothing and shoe size charts

I want to breastfeed my adopted child. Keep in mind that most of these deal with newborns.

Adoptive Breastfeeding links
The adoption and breastfeeding page : personal story, suggestions, links.
La Leche League FAQ on adoptive breastfeeding. They also have a few stories .
Lact-Aid is a breastfeeding supplementer commonly used. See their FAQ about nursing adopted babies. They also have a list of other breastfeeding resources .
1ABSSupportGroup is a support group for adoptive breastfeeding.
Adoptive Breastfeeding Resource Website has lots of information, articles, resources, message board, links, etc.
The November/December 2002 issue of Adoptive Families Magazine had an article on breastfeeding.
Adoption Breastfeeding links
Books to buy: Breastfeeding the Adopted Baby by Debra Stewart Peterson (published January 2000), Nursing Your Adopted Baby by Kathyrn Anderson (published May 1986 by the La Leche League, used copies available), and Breastfeeding an Adopted Baby and Relactation by Elizabeth Hormann (published March 2007 by the La Leche League).

Will the airport x-rays damage my film? DO NOT put any undeveloped film - exposed or not - in your checked luggage. The x-ray machines that they may use to scan checked luggage can damage your film in one pass. Multiple passes through the x-ray machine used for carry-on bags may damage the film. Either purchase your film at your destination and/or have it developed over there. Another alternative is to ask for a hand inspection of the film. Put all your film in a clear bag and hand it to a screener. In the US, they are required to do it if asked, overseas they may not be as cooperative. I have done this many times traveling in the Caribbean and have never been refused. Even if you can avoid having the film scanned only a few times, it will still decrease the possibility of x-ray damage. Do not take any videotape through the magnetic screening door as it will damage it the first time; the x-rays will not hurt it, so send it through with the rest of your carry-ons. Digital cameras and pictures on CDs are also not affected. For further information, see the following articles: X-ray Fog and Baggage X-ray Scanning Effects on Film from Kodak, Transportation Security Administration , and from the New York Institute of Photography . You can do an internet search and find many examples of film ruined by the x-ray.

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Page last updated on 19 December 2009.