Travel and Transition

The last adoption education course Brock & I took was on travel and transition. Transition is the period of time it takes the family to settle into a routine (can be weeks or months). The travel and returning home portion includes many of the same range of emotions as that of a birth.

We were strongly encouraged to pay attention to our own health leading up to the travel to China. The travel and emotions both tend both act as stressors. We need to get Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. Since Shaling will be with us for the majority of time we’re in China, we also need to be prepared to handle any health concerns she may have while we’re there. It was recommended that we pack such supplies as Tylenol, alcohol wipes, Neosporin, anti-diarrhea medication, an antihistamine, antimicrobial hand cleaner, Band-aids, nail clippers, insect repellant, sunscreen, a dosage syringe, and Vaseline.

There was also a great suggestion that we pack various sizes of Zip-Loc bags. A good tip was to take them out of the box and seal them all in one Zip-Loc bag in order to save space. We should also take different sizes of clothing for Shaling (since we can’t be certain of her size until we get her). We should pack snacks for ourselves and her. Also, we should bring an extra suitcase that can be pack flat inside one of ours. Post-It notes were recommended for sticking paperwork to identify what it is, especially since some of it will be in Chinese.

Other , non-packing travel tips included: packing clothes for each person in every bag, as we can’t be sure if one will get lost; take extra money; check with our bank to see if our PIN is different overseas; place copies of our passports inside every piece of luggage; bring extra passport photos.

The act of taking Shaling away from the welfare district and putting her in our family is one that evokes warm and loving thoughts for us, but for her it will probably be similar to a kidnapping. This is because the welfare district is all she knows. We were advised to send pictures and/or special items to Shaling ahead of time to get her used to the idea of adoption. We were also cautioned to not be in a hurry to put new clothes on her, as the clothes she will be wearing will be her last familiar sight and smell of the life with which she is familiar. Shaling has probably never worn new clothing and therefore, may find it stiff and uncomfortable. Therefore, we’ve laundered the new clothing we’ve already got for her.

Sleeping habits will be an adjustment as well. For starters, jet lag will be an issue when we arrive home. However, sleep disturbances and nightmares are quite common for international adoptees during the transition period. Most children have never been alone in a room, so expecting them to sleep in a bed in a room by themselves can cause anxiety. Forcing the issue, but rushing to the room to comfort them when they cry out can delay their comfort, as in their disoriented state they may be expecting one of their former caregivers, and not their new parents. Therefore, I will probably sleep with her for awhile until we feel a strong family bond forming. At that point, we can transition her to “normal” sleeping conditions.

Food and diet are concerns as well. We desire to get Shaling on a diet fortified with Vitamin D and calcium as soon as possible, in order to treat her rickets. However, we realize she will have to be transitioned into that. We will have plenty of rice available. Some adoptees tend to hoard food, as a survival technique. Since she may have suffered from hunger greatly, we are advised to have food freely available to her. Perhaps providing box for her to store a personal food supply will help alleviate her fears of going hungry. On the other hand, she may not be concerned with food at all. If she tends to refuse food and fails to thrive, we may need medical intervention.

All in all, this was one of the most pertinent and helpful courses we took. It will help greatly to have it as a resource when we get ready to travel.


P.S. Other courses we took, but that I didn't summarize here on the blog include: The Effects of Institutionalization, Effects of Stress in Early Life, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Malnutrition, Prenatal Exposure to Drugs and Maternal Smoking, Sensory Integration Disorder, Special Regional Considerations – China