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This book covers common open adoption situations and how real families have navigated typical issues successfully. Like all useful parenting books, it provides parents with the tools to come to answers on their own, and answers questions that might not yet have come up.
Adopted persons face challenges their entire lives as they struggle to answer the most basic question: Who am I? The hope of open adoption is that adopted children will develop stronger identities if they have the opportunity to develop healthy ongoing relationships with their families of origin. Making Room in Our Hearts offers an intimate look at how these relationships evolve over time, with real-life stories from families who have experienced open adoption first-hand. This book helps both adoptive and birth parents address their fears and concerns, while offering them the support to put the child’s psychological and spiritual needs at the center of adoption. Based on interviews with more than one hundred adopted children, birth and adoptive parents, extended families, professionals and experts, the book is an effective and invaluable resource for those considering open adoption, those experiencing it, and professionals in the field. Openness has altered the landscape of adoption, and Making Room in Our Hearts will help us catch up to the reality that is open adoption today.
Adoption has changed dramatically over the past twenty years; biological parents no longer have to say goodbye to their child forever. Now nearly all adoption agencies promote open adoptions. Open adoption creates the opportunity for a special relationship between the biological parents, the adoptive parents, and the child. Emotionally, this is still largely uncharted territory. Open adoption requires a new approach by all involved, but it also generates invaluable rewards. The supporting relationships of open adoption provide for the better development of the child's psychological and spiritual well-being. Russell Elkins gives valuable insight for making successful open adoption.Open Adoption, Open Heart is the inspiring, true story of Russell and Jammie Elkins heartwarming journey. In this book, Russell offers stories, encouragement, and practical advice about the tensions and triumphs in open adoption. Their experiences take readers deep into the feelings and emotions of adoptive parents, sharing the joys, difficulties, and amazing victories that face adoptive couples. Both adoptive and biological parents need the valuable lessons that Open Adoption, Open Heart will provide.
Advance readers of Adopting: Sound Choices, Strong Families offer these comments (and more, see page 1) about this new book by the author of Taking Charge of Infertility, Adopting after Infertility, Launching a Baby's Adoption and Adoption Is a Family Affair! Adopting: Sound Choices, Strong Families is a "must-read" for anyone considering adoption. With compassion and candor, it helps sort out the emotional, relational and practical aspects of the journey to family-building through adoption. Pat's warm and direct style gives readers the courage to face the losses they have experienced so they can continue exploring adoption as a means to parenthood. Specifically, readers will be empowered to: Regain a sense of control over their lives, Decide whether they are honestly open to the idea of adoption, Understand the central issues of attachment and adoptive family life, Feel confident in their decision to pursue-or not-adoption as a viable option, Make informed decisions about the details of the adoption process, Embrace their decision to adopt with practical support and information, Navigate the first few months after placement with realistic expectations and practical information. Book jacket.
If you are considering adoption, or are already headed down that path, this book of stories, scriptures, and prayers will inspire and encourage you along the way. Author Hillary Froning opens her heart and shares the story of how she and her husband, Rich Froning, adopted three precious children. Like talking to a close friend, Blessed by Adoption features short essays, Bible verses, and prayers that will move you and comfort you on your path to adoption. The book also features reflections to help you process your thoughts and feelings, as well as writing space for journaling about your adoption journey. Blessed by Adoption includes: 30 essays by Hillary Froning about her adoption process, including finding a birth mom, completing home studies, hospital stays, telling friends and family, and all the blessings and challenges along the way Bible verses and prayers to comfort you at every stage of adoption Writing prompts and lined journaling pages to help you reflect on your adoption journey
Are you prepared to adopt and parent transracially? Transracial adoption can be a daunting and exhilarating journey. At times you feel incredibly isolated and lost. However, with this conversational and practical guide in hand, you will be able to adopt with confidence and parent with education, empathy, and enthusiasm. Whether you are new to adoption, a seasoned adoptive parent, or you are an adoptee, birth parent, or adoption professional, COME RAIN OR COME SHINE will enhance your understanding and appreciation for transracial adoption. The book contains extensive resource lists, discussion/reflection questions for adoptive parents, and advice and research from experts in the adoption field. Recommended by MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry: "We had an amazing guest on the MHP show about a year ago who is white and raising black adopted children, Rachel Garlinghouse. I love her book Come Rain or Come Shine: A White Parent's Guide to Adopting and Parenting Black Children." (from Jezebel, Melissa Harris-Perry Answers Your Questions, 4/6/14)
"After two years of waiting to adopt--slogging through paperwork and bouncing between hope and despair--a miracle finally happened for Vanessa McGrady. Her sweet baby, Grace, was a dream come true. Then Vanessa made a highly uncommon gesture: when Grace's biological parents became homeless, Vanessa invited them to stay. Without a blueprint for navigating the practical basics of an open adoption or any discussion of expectations or boundaries, the unusual living arrangement became a bottomless well of conflicting emotions and increasingly difficult decisions complicated by missed opportunities, regret, social chaos, and broken hearts"--
