HK Adoption

Posted by DeniseG (171 days ago)

Hi there. My husband and I have just sent in our adoption application paperwork to Social Welfare. We live on a liveaboard boat and I'm just wondering if anyone has ever heard of a couple of being denied adoption because they live on a boat? We live in a dedicated liveaboard marina, which is very safe and has over 100 families living here already

In fact, has anyone ever heard of anyone been turned down for adoption at all?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by aemom (167 days ago)

DeniseG:

Sorry no one has answered your question. I guess it just shows how unique each adoption experience is.

The Adoption Unit seems to take 'unusual' circumstances in stride and deal with families on a case-by-case basis. With our first adoption,we were one of the first families where the Mom worked and the Dad was going to be the primary caregiver - without a helper or grandmother!

We know of one adoption by a local family who lived in an incredibly small flat - maybe it was 300 sq ft. Really tiny. So your liveaboard is probably quite luxurious compared to that little home.

Best wishes.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by namaste (145 days ago)

We just put in an application for adoption as well! Did you attend the information session that was offered in December? Please get in touch with me, I'd love to hear about your experience so far.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by DeniseG (144 days ago)

Hi Namaste
We went to the October introductory meeting and have just completed the first workshop last Monday. We had a letter back from SW asking for more info re the boat - something I was dreading as I'm not too confident that living on a boat will be acceptable. But we'll just keep plodding along and answering all the questions we can. By the way, my husband is Australian and I'm from NZ, we're in our late 40s, so we might be further down the list than most!
We originally looked at adopting from Cambodia but unfortunately the Australian govt insist on parental authorisation for adoption, which is almost impossible as 90% of the babies are abandoned.
So right now, we're just waiting to hear more from SW in Hong Kong and hopefully with a date to start our home study.
Wishing you the best of luck too.
Denise

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (144 days ago)

i would talk to friends that have babies and are living on the boat. ask them how they deal with the dangers. then come up with a plan to show them that you are aware of potential problems. (check the internet etc)

they asked a friend of mine for more details regarding their two golden retrievers. once they proved to the social worker that they were aware of possible problems and they had concrete ideas on how to deal with them or head them off, they got their baby 4 days after being approved!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by aemom (144 days ago)

cara's advice is spot on.

One of your home study interviews will be on board. You may consider writing the ideas/plans on paper to give to the social worker to add to your home study file during that interview, perhaps with drawings of modifications you will make or even make those changes before the home study begins and show what you changed.

If you're not sure what to consider, do a google search or invite someone with a toddler over to help you think of some safety precautions you could talk about with the social worker.

We found that abstract concepts did not always translate well and it was better for us to anticipate what might be asked and have a concrete way of explaining what we would do.

Perhaps also purchase a child's life jacket.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (143 days ago)

I know this is nothing to help with your question - but I have 2 toddlers at the moment and I have no idea how we would have survived on a boat... they manage to get into everything even in a normal flat, so I think it is very very risky... so have a good think of how you can make is safe... Very very tricky...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by namaste (140 days ago)

Hi Denise,
Namaste here. I have two brothers who both live on sailboats with their children. Both of them have raised their children from baby age through toddler age on their boats. One child hated living on the boat until he was about three and the other one loves it. I would think that with the number of homeschoolers and families out there traversing the world on sailboats, that there woud be resources for "baby-proofing" a boat or at least information available to families about how to live on a boat with a baby. If you could locate some of these resources and put together a nice thick packet/presentation for the Social Welfare Dept., then you could demonstrate that you are aware of the safety issues and are prepared to follow through. I suppose that if they approve you, it could be contingent on moving. Let me know how it goes. I'm waiting for our reply. The mailbox has suddenly become a very exciting thing!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by jassy67 (137 days ago)

As others have mentioned, ask other families that live near by their views on raising their children "on water". Changes that may need to be made, etc. Do alot of research and have it ready to show SW. Also, it may depend on the age of a child you plan to adopt, Newborn, toddler, 5 yr old, so on.

We adopted and brought our daughter home a year ago. She is now 2.5 yrs old. We had to "prove" ourselves as well, in a completely different aspect. I did research and had letters from family and other mother's in my situation. Our process did take ALOT longer than other families waiting, but in the end, so worth it. (It also helped that we did not prefer a newborn) Do you have any near future plans to move? We would never be able to live on a boat with our daughter, as she is VERY active and runs around
Keep strong and all will work out.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by DeniseG (70 days ago)

Hi Namaste - we have just had our initial interview with SW last Thursday. All seemed to go quite well and the social work was really lovely. She made us feel very relaxed and optimistic. She will eventually be coming to do the home study on the boat and she expressed that she was very interested as had never seen a liveaboard boat before. She didn't seem particularly negative about the boat issue, so here's hoping. I took in the boat plans and some photos and also a letter from the marina stating how safe it was to live on a boat and how the club caters for the 100 or so families that live on the marina, so that may have enlightened her a little. We will do our second workshop on Monday, 28 April and then our individual interviews after that. What stage are you up to?
Cheers
Denise

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (70 days ago)

will keep my fingers crossed for you!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mighty (66 days ago)

I really dont see the problem and how SW can deny you by any chance!! My friend has 7 dogs. She and her husband work full time and so the helper has to care everything during the day. Their adoption process was smooth. No problem for them and definitely no problem for you. It would be a great expereience for the child whoever to come n join your family. Good luck and all the best.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sunniefaith (61 days ago)

I've just sent in all our documents. Does anyone know what's the duration from sending all the documents in (they sent a letter and called to ask for more info which I've sent all that's needed by last Wed) before they call to begin the home study? We attended the final workshop just after Chinese New Year and it is taking quite some time to just to start the home study.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by emma dilemma (2 days ago)

Hi,

I am moving to Hong Kong in August so am new to this site. My husband and I had started the adoption process in Australia. Being new I am trying to work out who to contact to get the paper work and process started. Can someone please help me understand what SW is and who to contact (also if I am in the wrong part of the website).

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by DeniseG (2 days ago)

HI Emma
You should start by phoning the Social Welfare Department (don't have their phone number on me right now - but if you google you will find it). They are the only avenue for adoption in Hong Kong. They will tell you a few of the criteria over the phone, then invite you to come to an introductory session, which you must attend with your husband. Next they will send you paperwork to complete (which does take quite a while to complete and collate), you will be required to attend 2 adoptions workshops and then an individual interview each, and also a joint interview. They will want to interview 2 referees and also make a home visit to make sure your home is secure for a child. All in all, its a very straightforward process with not too many hurdles, just have to tick things off the list and then wait.
We have just finished our last home visit and are now waiting to hear whether we have been accepted or not, so we've got our fingers tightly crossed. We started in October last year, so its been a while, but we've been trying to get pregnant for 6 years so we are used to it waiting .
Wishing you good luck and if you need any help, you can pm me.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by emma dilemma (13 hrs ago)

Thanks Denise. We will get in contact with SW as soon as we get there. What does pm me mean. Sorry, I am completely new to chat rooms.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by tommytommy (24 mins ago)

Good luck with it all.

A beautiful little girl came in to our lives three weeks ago. The process took 9 months from the first interview with Social Welfare.

(I am based in Hong Kong)