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How to pack for a China adoption trip

March 2, 2016 by Jill 4 Comments

If you have chosen international adoption to build your family, you’ll most likely have to travel outside the USA to meet your new child. Here are some tips that will hopefully help you out.

Disclaimer: I’m a seasoned traveler. If you’re not, then take my tips with a grain of salt. If you really think you need a separate suitcase for food and two tubs of Clorox Wipes, don’t let my recommendations sway you from what you feel most comfortable with.

I operate under three basic packing principles:

1.   Less is more.

2.   You’re going to another country, not the moon. There will be stores.

3.   The only things you need are the documents needed to complete your adoption, a place to crash while you’re doing it and a ticket home. It really boils down to that.

More Disclaimer Stuff: I’ve only adopted from China and both of my adoption trips have been in summer. It is blazing hot every-fricken-where in China in the summer. Also, I’ve only adopted toddler boys in diapers who are off the bottle.

Still with me? Good. Here we go:

PIN FOR LATER!

PIN FOR LATER!

1. Never have more than one checked bag per person.

2. Pack something for everyone in each checked bag. If you have to deal with the ass pain of lost luggage, you might have a shot at clean underwear for all.

3. Pack a soft bag (or two) in your checked luggage.  You might return with more stuff than you left with on an adoption trip (besides the kid, I mean.) If you need it, you have it. If you don’t, no big whoop.

4. Packing cubes are awesome. We color coded the cubes so everyone was able to find their stuff easily. This is especially helpful for larger families. It also cuts down on over-packing. Give each family member X number of cubes and tell them “it all has to go in here, yo.” Or something like that.

Mine are something like this:

The above is am Amazon affiliate link. If you click it and buy something from Amazon during your session, I’ll get lotsa money. Or 39 cents or something…

5. Don’t  vacuum seal. You might save space but your weight won’t be impacted and, unless you plan to also pack your vacuum seal thingamajiggy, you’ll have trouble re-packing your stuff when it’s time to come home.

6. Everyone is in control of their own carry-on. Carry-ons should contain a change of clothes (or at least a clean t-shirt and clean underoos) and some form of entertainment. All but the smallest kids can handle a carry-on. Pottery Barn Kids makes great toddler-sized backpacks that are perfect for kid carry-on’s.

7. Less is more. You’re going to be coming home with an extra person. I mean…duh, but think about it. Can you juggle all the crap you brought with you and a new child and whatever paraphernalia you picked up on the trip while sprinting through the airport trying to make a flight you’re late for? Think about it.

8. If you’re thinking of taking a stroller, do it. If you’re thinking you might need one, then you probably will. We didn’t take one on our first adoption trip but bought one about 37 seconds after meeting Zack. We took the double-wide on our second trip. Lesson learned.

9. If you’re adopting younger/smaller kids, take an Ergo. Easy to pack and if the kid doesn’t like it, it doesn’t take up much space.


10.  Pack flip flops…because, comfortable.

“You can’t wear flip flops in China…because of the garbage” and, “people pee in the streets of China, so better not wear your flip flops”

Uhhh…how about not stepping in pee or garbage? Seriously, I have been to five cities in China and found them at least as clean as any large U.S. city. And if you see pee in the street? How about not stepping in it? Easy peasy.

11.  For a two-week trip, we packed 6 outfits per adult and 8 outfits per child. It worked.

12. Dry-weave, easy to rinse out clothes in the summer are a must.

13. Shoes – we never packed shoes for the child we were adopting. Both of our children came with shoes. Had they not, there would have been plenty of opportunity to buy them in China. Shoes take up space in the suitcase and it’s easy to get a size wrong. Buy there.

14. Diapers: assuming the child you’re adopting needs them, pack a handful in various sizes but don’t let it take up too much space in your luggage because you can buy what you need there. I found Chinese diapers to be much less absorbent (even the Chinese Huggies or Pampers) so it’s a good idea to save some American diapers for the trip home or long days. Take them out of the package and line the perimeter of your suitcase. Diapers are generally very easy to find in China.

15. Don’t take a crap-ton of toys. Obviously, if you’re traveling with kids on the way over, you’ll need something to occupy them.  I recommend electronic entertainment. Or duct tape.  Kidding. Maybe.

I packed a few small things: stacking cups, toy cell phones, inflatable ball and a couple of toy cars. This is enough. It really is. Any kid is more interested in playing with your stuff anyway.

Neither one of my kids was remotely interested in a stuffed animal in China. On our second adoption trip, I snagged two plastic coffee cups from our dinner tray on the flight over. We got a ton of mileage out of those cups. Also, kids who have lived in an institutional setting may not be used to having toys. They’ll probably be entertained with the apps on your phone or the top of a water bottle. If that’s not enough, you can buy toys there.

16. Style: For myself, I packed mix and match prints and patterns. Because…you know…ketchup, throw-up and Merlot. Comfortable shoes. Don’t fret your flat iron. I wore my hair up most of the time we were in China. It was hot and I was busy.

I also took a small makeup bag and a few pieces of jewelry. I feel better when I look “put together” and I like to make an effort when we had to go to our official appointments. Don’t be the guy who goes to official appointments in gym shorts and a tank top that shows your pit hair.  You know who you are, dude.

17. You can do laundry in China. You can also wash stuff out in the sink…more reason to pack travel-friendly clothing. Travel pouches of detergent are easy to find or make up your own in snack baggies.  Tide pens and Febreeze are also good to have. It’s pretty easy to find travel-sized bottles of Febreeze.

18. All China hotels have shampoo, body, wash, lotion, and toothbrush/toothpaste. Many will have conditioner, razors with shave cream, and other amenities, such as Q-tips.

19. Take what you feel you need to get through the trip. If you leave something behind, don’t sweat it. You can buy most stuff in China…I’ve bought foot powder, cold medicine, baby supplies, and nail polish remover in China. There’s always a Waltmart-ish store around.

I recently read someone’s blog who talked about how bad Chinese people smelled and that deodorant wasn’t sold there. She’s crazy. Well, maybe not, but my experience was different. The only smelly people I encountered were Americans in my travel group who’d been sweating all day…and one of them might have been me!

20. Bags are good. I took all sizes of ziplock bags and lots of plastic grocery bags. Stuff them into every available cranny of your luggage space. You can do lots of things with these bags: seal a dirty diaper, steal Cheerios from the breakfast buffet, keep the trash in your hotel room under control.  Apparently, trashcan liners aren’t a thing in china.

21. Clorox wipes. Yes, really. Take them out of the plastic tub they come in and stuff them in a ziploc bag. I used to laugh when I saw these on people’s “pack for China” lists. I’m the least germophobic mom you’ll ever meet but that whole ounce of prevention thing? Yeah. In the adoption trip of 2013, one of my boys had a nasty diaper accident. No, I didn’t disinfect  the baby butt, although I thought about it, but it was an effing huge mess and I’m glad I had a way to manage it without involving housekeeping at 8:30 p.m.

22. Medications.  Many people get preventive prescription medications to take with them (antibiotics, scabies cream, etc.).  I’m not a fan of this approach, personally. Your new child will be coming to you with limited medical history and most likely, with medical needs. The last thing you probably want to be doing is playing Web MD.  But that’s just me.  Some doctors will write you a Rx for whatever you want, few questions asked.  We’ve always taken a pretty extensive medical kit that includes a little bit of everything in the over-the-counter department. If you have a headache, a bug bite or cramps…I am a good person to hang out with.

23. Technology:  Talk to your mobile carrier to scope out where your phone will and won’t work…and how much it will cost you if you use your normal cell service. Also look into VPNs and wireless routers. Technology changes…talk to someone who has recently adopted from China…or wherever you’re going.

24. Eat there, unless….

If you’re looking at a packing list that mentions a disposable tablecloth so your kids can play on the floor of the hotel without getting dirty, a set of dishes, packets of oatmeal or macaroni and cheese cups…screw that noise. Seriously. Wherever you’re going, they have food. If you’re on a special diet, it can probably be accommodated – just ask. We were always able to find Western-style snack food in China. Packing food? Pffft. No.

25. But there’s the coffee. We took a box of Starbucks Via and OMG …so glad we did. Truth, there were Starbucks everywhere we went but we generally found coffee in the hotel rooms in China lacking. I’m someone who turns into an evil she-beast if there’s not coffee in my hand within 60 seconds of waking.

Enjoy your adoption trip. Enjoy every second, for the amazing opportunity to be in the birth country of your child. No matter how crappy your trip might turn out to be, that still may be your only memory of your child’s birth country when they sit on your lap later on and say “tell me about…”

Think in the temporary. Your China adoption trip is not forever. Get through it. If you forgot your deodorant or the hotel breakfast buffet doesn’t meet your expectations…deal. Tread water. This is only a small slice of your life.

Pack light. Pack what you absolutely must have and don’t worry too much about “what if.”  Prepare to have a great, crazy, wonderful, at times stressful and uncomfortable trip. Real life and real bonding begin when you are HOME.

And, if they don’t have your exact brand of Pringles or if you forget your eyeliner – you’ll be OK.

And one more thing – congratulations!!!!

 

Thank you for reading! If you know someone who is adopting from China, feel free to share this with them!

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4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Erin says

    March 3, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    I love how you can even make packing funny! But honestly these are SUCH great tips, for those traveling for adoption, but also just traveling in general. We abide by a lot of the same packing principles (even when we aren’t coming home with a child).

    Reply
  2. Jenni says

    March 5, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    Thank you Jill, a blog post just for me!! You are too kind. Seriously, getting packed for any adoption trip is crazy, but I think this 2 week China trip with its in-country travel is another level of crazy. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, this will be bookmarked for summer (hopefully)

    Reply
  3. Barbara says

    April 4, 2018 at 4:22 pm

    I love your advice. It’s nice to hear that taking everything including the kitchen sink isn’t actually necessary. Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 9 tips for quick trips - what you need to know about packing light - Ripped Jeans & Bifocals says:
    June 19, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    […] I make adjustments if I’m traveling with kids or to remote areas where I might have trouble finding something Walgreens-ish. I travel with an umbrella, which practically guarantees no rain anywhere I go, ever.  If rip my pants, I’ll deal with it.  I like to live on the edge like that.  I pack what I’m certain I will need.  There’s not a lot of “just in case” with my packing. If you’re interested in my post on packing for an adoption trip, read it HERE. […]

    Reply

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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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rippedjeansandbifocals

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Jill Robbins
Happy Wednesday. 📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch n Happy Wednesday.

📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch near Alpine. Check my bio link for more information. 

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"Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of tru "Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of true education." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw a lot of posts about Martin Luther King yesterday when I was doing my scrolls through social media...on a day where I wasn't supposed to be ON social media, ahem. We hear and see a lot of Dr. King's words and quotes one day a year. So, instead of apologizing for posting this "a day late" I'll share that I'm challenging myself to remember some of these important words more than one day a year.

Our kids are watching us right now. I mean...they're always watching us but I think what they see in these times is more important than ever. Nuturing our kids' intelligence and character is more important than ever. My kids are 10 now - this picture is about four years old - and they are absorbing EVERYTHING we say, how we say it and even what we don't say. 

This mural is near the suspension bridge in downtown Waco. Waco is famous for all the Magnolia things but there's a lot there for families, too, and the park around the bridge is a great place to explore along the Brazos River. 

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Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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I wore braces as a kid and my top teeth are straight but my bottom teeth are shifting and one tooth is traveling into the back of my mouth and I have some crowding. My orthodontist said it’s very unusual to put braces on just half your mouth but my bite is still aligned so they didn’t have to put them on my top teeth - my wallet is thankful.
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Questions I’ve already been asked:
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1️⃣ At your age? Yes, at my age. I still care about my smile. 
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3️⃣ How long do you have to wear them?
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6-9 months.
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3️⃣ Do they hurt? 
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Other questions? Advice?
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#braceface #adultbraces
Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

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Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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2020 started out so fine. We extended our kids’ winter break to take them on a Disney Cruise- no better reason than that, amiright- and I was excited about all the Disney Cruise blog posts I was going to write. Disney Cruises are (errr...were?) one of the most searched terms on my website and how a lot of people found me.
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Early 2020 was such a time of hope and light that pretty much everyone took for granted.
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