The Unofficial Guide To Adopting A Child

The process of adoption - be it an open or a closed adoption, domestic or international - is seldom simple, short, or standardized. It can often take many years of frustrating and expensive searching before parents can bring an infant or child home, and once they do, they face a whole new set of challenges as they learn together to be a family. The Unofficial Guide to Adopting a Child gives prospective adoptive parents the inside scoop on: * How long it will really take to adopt, and how much it will cost * What the challelnges are for single people, older couples, and gay lesbian couples seeking to adopt * What the all-important home study entails -- from writing the autobiographical statement to creating a child-friendly atmosphere * What questions to ask agency personnel and birth parents -- and what questions to refuse to answer

This is not just another book about adoptive parenting. This is the real stuff: dynamic, messy, baffling adoptive parenting, rooted in domestic life. Award-winning columnist and adoptive parent Sally Donovan offers savvy, compassionate advice on how to be 'good enough' in the face of both day-to-day and more bewildering challenges – how to respond to 'red mist' meltdowns, crippling anxieties about new routines and, most importantly, how to meet the intimidating challenge of being strong enough to protect and nurture your child. Full of affecting and hilarious stories drawn from life in the Donovan household, The Unofficial Guide to Adoptive Parenting offers parents a refreshing counterblast to stuffy parenting manuals -- read it, weep, laugh and learn.

Domestic or international? Baby or older child? A child with special needs? The number of decisions you will need to make when deciding to adopt can at times seem overwhelming. The Everything® Parent’s Guide to Raising Your Adopted Child offers all the information any potential or newly adoptive parent might need. Parenting expert and adoptive parent Corrie Lynne Player has interviewed hundreds of adoptive parents and presents a cross-section of age, ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds to help you make the most informed decisions. This essential guidebook is packed with reassuring advice on how to handle the most common issues, including: -Questions to ask before adopting -Bonding techniques for each age group—from newborn to teenager -Adopting children with physiological or psychological special needs -Adopting outside your ethnic group -Navigating international adoptions -Fielding difficult questions about your adopted child’s birth parents -Helping your adopted child cope with feelings of loss and abandonment With this book by your side, you will bond with your child for a lifetime!

Addresses questions and concerns of prospective single adoptive parents, and provides information on transracial and international adoption and the rights of gays and lesbians to adopt.

From Adoptive Families magazine, the country’s leading resource on adoption, this warm, authoritative book is full of practical, realistic advice from leading attorneys, doctors, social workers, and psychologists, as well as honest, intimate stories from real parents and children. You Can Adopt answers every question–even the ones you’re afraid to ask: • When should I shift from fertility treatment to adoption? • How do I talk to my spouse about adoption? • Can we find a healthy baby? • Do I need an attorney? An adoption agency? • Can the birth mother take the baby back? • How much will this really cost? How long will it take? • Aren’t all adopted children unhappy? • Can I love a child who “isn’t mine”? • How can I ease the rest of my family into this decision? Complete with checklists and worksheets, You Can Adopt will help make your dreams of family come true.

“A beacon through the often tangled and varied paths to parenting through adoption.”— William Pierce, President, National Council for Adoption Hailed as “an extremely valuable resource” by Jann Heffner, executive director of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, this new edition covers the adoption process, updated information on cyber adoption, changes in adoption laws, and the financial considerations of adoption. • Updated appendixes with new listings for adoption agencies, publications, adoptive parents’ groups, and adoption attorneys • Comprehensive information on adopting abroad, Internet-assisted adoptions, and the legal aspects of adoption, including pre-birth consent laws

Guides adoptive parents through the process of adopting a child and discusses the various types of adoptions, alerts readers to adoption scams, and guides readers in selecting a reputable attorney or adoption agency.

These are the things you wish you knew before choosing to adopt a child. Adoption is a moral commitment. How can you act in the best interest of the birthparents and the adopted child at the same time? How can you do your best to give the birthparents what they need without stretching yourself too thin? How can you learn to embrace your role as an adoptive parent? There are thousands of things you should and shouldn't do during the adoption process. This book boils those things down to the most important ones to help you know what to do, and what mistakes to avoid.

Adoptive parents often experience the double trial of emotional responses to infertility and to the process of adoption itself, called "excruciating labor with no end in sight," by one adoptive mother. Would-be adoptive parents cycle through grief, anger, fear, anxiety, frustration, and guilt-and back again. All of these emotions cloud decision-making, at exactly the time that adoptive parents are making life-altering, irrevocable decisions: whether to adopt at all, to adopt an older child or an infant, or to parent a child with developmental delays, as well as other pressing questions. New empirical research by Kathleen Whitten, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist and adoptive mother, and other experts in the field contradicts many of the outdated myths presented to parents and written about in widely-used adoption guides. Whitten separates fact from fiction and leads parents by the hand through the many emotional impacts the process involves. Written in a reassuring, conversational tone, the author tells parents when they should listen to their heart-and when practical considerations are too important to ignore. Each chapter features workbook section with constructive exercises and stimulating questions. Adoptive parents do not need yet another book promising a "fast track" to a child or explaining how to collect documents. Instead, they need Labor of the Heart to help them through the difficult emotions and decisions about adoption.

Are you considering adoption or in the process of adopting a child? Look no further than "The Ultimate Guide to Adoption: Everything You Need to Know." This comprehensive book is your go-to resource for all things adoption, providing you with the knowledge and guidance you need to navigate the adoption journey with confidence. In "The Ultimate Guide to Adoption," you will find a wealth of information on various types of adoption, including domestic, international, and foster care adoption. Learn about the adoption process from start to finish, including how to choose the right adoption agency for your needs. Discover the legal considerations involved in adoption and how to prepare yourself emotionally for the journey ahead. Dealing with loss and grief is an inevitable part of the adoption process, and this book offers valuable insights on how to cope with these emotions. Explore the importance of bonding and attachment with your adopted child and learn how to prepare siblings for the arrival of a new family member. Financial considerations are also addressed in this guide, with information on adoption grants, loans, and employer adoption benefits. Find out about the support and resources available to adoptive parents, including post-adoption services that can help you navigate the challenges of parenting an adopted child. "The Ultimate Guide to Adoption" also delves into important topics such as transracial and transcultural adoption, open adoption, and nurturing birth family connections. It provides guidance for the LGBTQ+ community on choosing an LGBTQ+-friendly adoption agency and understanding legal rights and protections. Adoption and special needs are also covered in this book, with information on educational advocacy and accessing support services. Building a support network is crucial for adoptive parents, and this guide offers tips on how to create a strong support system. With a comprehensive table of contents and answers to frequently asked questions, "The Ultimate Guide to Adoption" is a must-have resource for anyone considering or going through the adoption process. Don't miss out on this invaluable tool that will empower you to make informed decisions and become the best adoptive parent you can be. Order your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to Adoption: Everything You Need to Know" today and receive a bonus gift: "How To Be A Super Mom" absolutely free. Have questions or comments? Reach out to us and let us assist you on your adoption journey. This title is a short read. A Short Read is a type of book that is designed to be read in one quick sitting. These no fluff books are perfect for people who want an overview about a subject in a short period of time. Table of Contents The Ultimate Guide to Adoption: Everything You Need to Know Types of Adoption The Adoption Process Choosing an Adoption Agency Preparing for Adoption Legal Considerations Emotional Journey Dealing with Loss and Grief Bonding and Attachment Preparing Siblings for Adoption Financial Considerations Adoption Grants and Loans Employer Adoption Benefits Support and Resources Post-Adoption Services Parenting an Adopted Child Transracial and Transcultural Adoption Open Adoption Open Adoption Agreements Nurturing Birth Family Connections Adoption and the LGBTQ+ Community Choosing an LGBTQ+-Friendly Adoption Agency Legal Rights and Protections Adoption and Special Needs Educational Advocacy Accessing Support Services Building a Support Network Frequently Asked Questions Have Questions / Comments?