Craigslist

I know it sounds odd, but yep, we have been posting on Craigslist. I read lots of different success stories and apparently that is the direction the adoption world is moving.

We were leery, but figures its worth a shot. So we posted a few ads on CL, just saying we are looking to grow our family through adoption and asking the EM to contact us for a link to our web page.

We created a web page with lots of pictures of the two of us along with information and facts about our lives. We also noted our desire to have an open adoption and that we are open to gender, race, ethnicity... For the kids and the dog, we used silhouette images and very vague non-identifying information. Basically, we just put that they are between the ages of 8-15 and some general interests, traits and hobbies. I don't want some weirdo whack job creeper looking at my kids. I did explain that while we are striving to be transparent, we are also very protective of our family. We are happy to share some info on our children, but until we develop a relationship, we will keep their names and images private.

Anyway, we GOT A HIT!!! A 23 year old girl who is living at home with her parents trying to raise three kids. The father of the kids is in prison, she got pregnant with another guy and doesn't want the first guy to know. I emailed back and forth with her, but she kept coming back to the same subject-money.  She wanted to get out on her own and was hoping that by making an adoption plan, she would be able to do so. I explained what I knew about birth mom expenses and told her that everything would go through the agency. I also asked how she would support herself and children after the baby was born. She didn't want to work, she just wanted a free ride. Hmm, alarms went off, but I kept talking to her. She sent a picture of herself and kids, but it didn't add up, so I got nosey and went looking on Facebook. BAM, found her! Totally not pregnant, not even a mom. UGH, a scam. :( She never emailed back after I said that the agency wouldn't provide 100% living expenses.

We posted more ads, but all the ads here in AZ were being flagged and deleted-we think by the one other family that was placing similar ads in the area. Guess they didn't want any "competition". LOL!

Not to worry, we didn't give up. We posted more ads, and got another hit, but she was looking for a Latino family. OK, discouraged, but not devastated-more ads. Another hit! This time she asked for a link to our site, no word back. Keep posting, another hit....not as excited, but still hopeful. I sent her our link and some words of encouragement....no reply.

We will keep trying....