There has been a lot of speculation about how adoption laws might change once the courts in Ethiopia open again after the Ethiopian New Year. There have been rumors about single women not being allowed, about families with more than 5 kids not being allowed, about requiring a two year difference in age between existing and adopted children, and about requiring no more than 43 years age difference between parent and child.

Reports are now starting to filter through the adoption e-groups about the first court cases. It seems that so far the proposed rule changes are still just proposals. Even the most likely of the restrictions, the one affecting large families, seems not to have been put into place just yet. It could be that more rules will be put into place soon, but so far agencies report no definite rule changes from last year. That is good news indeed for the many children who wait for families in Ethiopia.

As far as the important business of actually getting cases through court, some cases were heard during October and passed. Others went to court as scheduled but then were postponed until November for a variety of reasons. Some families were delayed because judges took days off.

Agencies are also reporting the the Ethiopian Children's Commission has been slower lately to get their approval letters to court. The Children's Commission letter is essential to get through court successfully. Unfortunately the way it is currently done, agencies only discover that this letter is missing on the actual court date. I have heard from at least a handful of families who had their cases postponed from October till November because this vital piece of paper was missing.

What does all this mean for adoptive families? It definitely points out how important it is for families to stay flexible. Rumors swirl. Delays happen. The more relaxed you can be about the process of your case, the ...oh, who I am kidding? It is darned near impossible to stay relaxed when you have a child waiting on the other side of the world.

I think the best thing you can do is stay busy, pray a lot, get as much rest as you can, and hope that soon it will be your turn to share exciting homecoming news with those around you. Eventually, day by day, you WILL make it through the wait!