Reviews (10)

FROM A FAMILY WHO ADOPTED THREE RUSSIAN CHILDREN
Dr. Federici's book saved our family. We were drowning in chaos and confusion, and with 3 very troubled adopted children. His book is an extension of his practice model (proper evaluation and intensive parent training). All the other professionals we saw did not have a clue how to handle our children, so we went on our own and got the right help we needed. Nothing crazy like "holding therapy" which we tried and discontinued. This book give structure and hope when all else is or has failed.

Crazierthan "Holding Therapy"
There are many disturbing aspects to the author's methods, but the particular restraint method he advocates is horrific. He actually suggests parents put their non-compliant children face down on the floor and sit (and/or lie) on them!Today the use of any form of restraint is discouraged, but the author's particular form of restraint is considered one of the most dangerous, making breathing extremely difficult and death a distinct possibility. A 7-year-old Wisconsin girl is a recent fatality of prone restraint.The author also advises treating a child like an infant, keeping the child at arm's length for months. If people treated dogs like this, they could be put in jail. The author is really selling frustrated or fearful parents the permission to treat their child harshly and break the child's spirit.And we're to believe these brutal methods foster a loving, nurturing relationship?Stockholm Syndrome is more like it.

Excellent Book And One We Can Understand!
Dr. Federici's book put us back on track and 'in control" of our family after years of wasted, costly therapy for our two Romanian children. We had tried about everything, including this "neurofeedback" for RAD which was a total waste as our child had brain damage, not RAD like all these therapists like to push (RAD,ADHD, Bipolar, ODD--seems they diagnosis all these kids with it when they do not know what else to do). We called Evergreen, Villa Santa Maria, and a few other places that claimed to be able to help, but none had a solid plan, but sure wanted the money. So we went to Dr. Federici and his "team approach" and got further in three months, than we did with all the other professionals over the span of four years. This is the right approach and book when you are at the end of your rope, and is endorsed by some of the real experts in the country. Also, this Dr. actually has Internationally Adopted kids of his own, so he gets real life credit. He neds to lecture more to get the correct word out to families in need. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family Relationships    6. Family/Marriage    7. Parenting - Discipline    8. Parenting - General   

Reviews (40)

"Sneg" - A Story of Selfishness and Insensitivity
As an adoptee who spent five years living in Moscow, I have to admit that I was sorely disappointed and even angered by this book.
The Tricks of the Trade (4.5 stars)
"The Russian Word for Snow" is one woman's quest to adopt a son from a Moscow orphanage.She describes the plight that her and her husband went through in order to have the son they couldn't produce themselves.At times, the book reads as too personal, but it is a quick read and very hard to put down.
The Russian Word for Snow: A True Story of Adoption
I was very disappointed in the author's crude use of words and profane language. It would be a good read, if she had left out certain parts. This is not a book I feel comfortable sharing with my own adopted Russian son until he is much older, and I certainly can't recommend it to others without warning them first. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoption And Adoption Services    3. Adoptive parents    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Case studies    8. Family & Relationships    9. Intercountry adoption    10. Newman, Janis Cooke    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Russia    13. United States    14. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Reviews (6)

Written by authors who love children
Love is not all a child needs to make an adoption work, and the authors show us this truth in their vast personal and professional experience in adopting special needs children. Prospective adoptive parents of special needs children, both domestic and international, will greatly benefit from the important information and insights into critical emotional, educational and criminal issues dealt with in this wonderful book. I heartily recommend it to everyone. A must read for all fost/adopt parents!
Adopting and Advocating for the Special Needs Child is well written, interesting and knows its audience (written in layman's terms). This book should be given to all parents of foster children who are considering adoption.

An excellent guide through the process of adoption.
If you are going to read only one book on adopting children with special needs let this be the one.With their vast personal and professional experience in adopting special needs children, Babb and Law clearly explain the most important information and most critical emotional issues which pre-adoptive parents need to consider.My husband and I have adopted three special needs children. This book helped us understand how to advocate for ourselves as we moved through the process of adoption, how to advocate for the children both before and after the adoption and how to address some of the many complex emotional issues faced by a family which chooses to care for and love special needs children. My hearfelt thanks go out to Rita Law and Anne Babb for this wonderful gift of book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adopted children    2. Adoption    3. Adoption And Adoption Services    4. Children with disabilities    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Human Services    7. Older child adoption    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Special needs adoption    11. United States    12. Child welfare    13. Family & Relationships / General    14. USA    15. Handicapped children   

Reviews (6)

Out of Date
Needs updating badly.I'd like to hear how adult children of open adoption feel now.This book is from the 1980's.

Openness in adoption -- of course!
We were given this book while we were learning about the process of openness in adoption and nine months later, our child was born to us by his birthparents -- our shared miracle.Back when we were still waiting, reading about open adoption in this book helped my husband and I better understand how this approach to adoption might work in different people's lives.The authors helped us embrace the idea that birthparents could be known in a child's life and be part of a functional extended family.For us, this became true."Children of Open Adoption" was for us a primer that described the common issues surrounding the concept of openness.This book provided for us the chance to hear from other parents and see how things might play out later in our child's life if we opted for openness.Page by page, we read parts aloud to one another and became more and more convicted that our intuition was right.Openness allowed natural adoption, so that our family would include our child's birthparents.We understood that the amount of openness might be different for each family, but this book helped us also understand the beautiful potential for a normal life that included birthparents and honored both them as life-givers and us as family.For anyone who wants to disagree, I no longer argue.I know that what this book describes, we have.We allowed our trust to grow and we gradually experienced open adoption as a family -- a family that includes our child's birthparents and birthgrandparents, with openness for all of our child's life -- if we are lucky.

Truth is what our children need
We were given this book while we were learning about the process of openness in adoption and nine months later, our child was born to us by his birthparents -- our shared miracle.When we were still waiting, reading about open adoption here helped my husband and I better understand how this approach to adoption might work in different people's lives.The authors helped us embrace the idea that birthparents could be known in a child's life and be part of a functional extended family.For us, this became true."Children of Open Adoption" was for us a primer that described the common issues surrounding the concept of openness.This book provided for us the chance to "hear" from other parents and see how things might play out later in our child's life if we opted for openness.Page by page, we read parts aloud to one another and became more and more convicted that our intuition was right.Openness was "natural adoption," so that our family would include our child's birthparents.We understood that the amount of openness might be different for each family, but this book helped us also understand the beautiful potential for a normal life that included birthparents and honored both them as life-givers and us as parents.For anyone who wants to disagree, I no longer argue.I know that what this book describes, we have.We allowed our trust to grow and we gradually experienced open adoption as a family -- a family that includes our child's birthparents and birthgrandparents, with openness for all of our child's life -- if we are lucky. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adopted children    2. Adoption    3. Adoption And Adoption Services    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Foster parents    6. Open adoption    7. Sociology    8. United States   

Reviews (18)

Miracles for Marlee
I recently finished reading Miracles for Marlee by Shannon G. Turner.What a well written book.If you want to know what it's like to adopt a baby from China, you have to read it.I was fascinated by her creative style of writing, and couldn't put her book down until I was done.If you have adopted before, you will find so many experiences that match your own, you find yourself reliving your adoption.If you have never adopted, you're going to want to!Her quest to get her little girl is inspiring and down to earth.You feel herpain, her frustration, and finally her joy in getting her Marlee.Shannon writes with such a sweet sense of humor, so even though I had tears sliding down my cheeks through most of the book, I loved chuckling with her at the circumstances that surrounded her adoption experience.
Like peeking into a private diary...
As a mother of a toddler, I have very little "extra" reading time.This book sat on my nightstand until I found an evening to dive into it.I was amazed at how quick a read it was for the thickness of the book.In just two evenings of reading I shared this author's heartache of infertility and her inspiring determination to have another child.I was awed at how sheovercomes a multitude of obstacles in an effort to adopt.With a sense of being a traveling companion along on the journey to China, readers share Shannon and Marlee's intimate first days as mother and daughter.Anyone with a heart for children will laugh and cry at the interaction between Marlee and her best friend Chloe as they cling to the familiar in the face of the unknown. The emotional highs and lows kept me turning pages.I feel as though I have traveled across the worldand back on this adoption adventure with the Turners. Like a personal journal that comes to a last entry on the last page, this book leaves the reader wanting to know "what happens tomorrow?..."

Genuinely Tugs At Your Heart
This is truly a heartwarming story of bringing hearts and destinies together through perseverance and dedication.The story of Marlee's adoption should be an encouragement for others seeking similar adoptions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (7)

A heartwarming, funny, moving book
This was a very heartwarming story.Reading this book gave me insight to Denise.It's truly amazing everything her and Neil went through to adopt David. I thought it would be an "OK" book, but I was wrong.It was fantastic.I couldn't put it down.I reccomend this book for everyone, as everyone will find something in it to relate too.

One of the Best Books
I think this is one of thebest books I have ever read.The author does a great job of taking you into her world. This is a must read for anyone with a disability who has ever been told they cannot do something. Also a must read for those without disabilities to see that the abilities of people with disabilities are limitless. I look forward to future books by this talented author.

Required Reading for families of children with disabilities
Denise made me both laugh and cry - somethimes at the same time.This is a WONDERFUL book about determination, ingenuity and grit all combined with a non-stop sense of humor.Denise shows us how it is possible for peoplewith severe disabilities to thrive dispite society's limiting attitudes.Iloved the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family & Relationships / Learning Disabilities    5. Family/Marriage    6. Specific Groups - Special Needs    7. Women    8. Learning Disabilities   

Reviews (4)

A helpful "prequel" if you're unsure about adopting
Most how-to books on adoption offer information and advice on how to adopt babies or older kids, assuming that readers already KNOW that they want to adopt. not much info--check it out of the library!
I just paid full price for this book, read it in an hour or so, and came away with very little concrete information. It was very disappointing! Definitely not worth buying. It did not help me in any way to decide whether adoption is for me.

Thoughtful, practical and non-dogmatic advice
When I first read the title of this book I immediately thought: Who, other than my heart, can tell me whether adoption is for me? But the author asks enough questions and brings up enough issues that I see the importance of considering all these points before proceeding. This book pulled the mirror up to my face even about our own adoption 34 years ago! Fortunately, the answer is still yes, it was for us, only I didn't think about all the things the author brings up, such as ten adoption myths which are important to clear up before considering adoption. (I thought about none of them 34 years ago and dove right into adoption!) I'm glad the author mentioned the myth that adopted kids don't attach to adoptive parents. I can assure you that our daughter, adopted at age 4 days in 1969, is deeply attached to us. She has met her birthmother at age 28, and there is no doubt that her attachment to us, her adoptive parents, is unshakable.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. United States    7. Child care & upbringing    8. Child welfare    9. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (34)

Great general resource but already somewhat out-of-date
There is a lot of general information contained in one easy to navigate location.I do recommend it highly, especially for one who is just beginning the adoption process.The only problem is that things are changing so fast, that even though the book was recently updated, it is already somewhat out of date.

Extremely informative, but poorly written
I recommend this book as it offers more information specific to Russian adoption than you will find in any other book.The author adopted two children from Russia himself, and he is an attorney, so he is informed about the process.He researched thoroughly for this book.
Make this book your first if adopting from Eastern Europe
I cannot begin to say how helpful this book has been in our adoption process. I am sure that we are several months ahead of where we would have been had we not had this book as a resource. All of the information that you want to ask your adoption agency but forget to ask, plus questions you don't even know to ask are answered in this book. Don't let the size of the book overwhelm you, Maclean has such a fun writing style that the book is easy to pour over. I highly recommend this book very early in the process just to help with the initally paperwork, but if it isn't bought that early it still has loads of information for any stage of the process. Maclean also references many other books and websites for specific concerns through-out the book. This book is worth every penny! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. International    6. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (23)

'Hannah's Hope' truly offers hope!
This is a must read for anyone dealing with infertility or loss or anyone who loves them. As an infertile adoptive mom myself, I found Mrs. Saake's words to be a healing balm on some deep emotional and spiritual scars. It is perfect for those of us at any stage in the journey through fertility challenges and those parenting after fertility challenges. "Hannah's Hope" deals thoroughly yet compassionately with even the most difficult "whys" without ever being preachy. It is equally appropriate for those who have never opened a Bible and for those who have walked in the faith for years. Reading Mrs. Saake's words felt like someone putting my own heart onto paper. I felt as if I were sitting across my kitchen table sharing the journey with a dear friend who knows what it's like. I've already loaned my copy to a friend and plan to purchase another one for my pastor.
What a Blessing!
This book was loaned to me by a girlfriend, little did she know the impact it would have on my life.I was so relieved to finally read about others facing the same emotions/struggles that I've been experiencing, both the author, her friends, and characters from the bible.It gave me peace.

Life Changing Book - Offering Hope for the Broken Hearted
I suffered Primary Infertlity for 8 years before I conceived and lost my first child. I was completely lost and disillusioned, because for 8 years I had trusted my LORD to give me children in His time.
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Subjects:  1. (Biblical figure)    2. Adoption    3. Bible    4. Childlessness in the Bible    5. Christianity    6. Christianity - Christian Life - Family Relationships    7. Christianity - General    8. Hannah    9. Infertility    10. Miscarriage    11. O.T    12. Religion    13. Religion - Marriage & Family    14. Religious aspects    15. Samuel, 1st I-II   

Reviews (7)

very good
Great book for anyone involved in the adoption process or those that have already adopted. Great to read of others experiences.
Uplifting and informative collection of stories from the adoptive triad
Born in Our Hearts is an uplifting and informative collection of stories from the adoptive triad and family, including birthmothers, adoptive parents and grandparents, and adopted children and adults. Adoption is viewed through the lenses of a virtual rainbow of participants, in different circumstances and situations, yet overall it results in a very positve and encouraging view - with twists and turns unlike any other. While prospective adopters (both international and domestic) will enjoy the variety of adoption journeys, the viewpoints of the adoptees and birthparents are especially informative and will be of interest to parents who have adopted as well as those considering adoption.

Born In Our Hearts - Stories of Adoption
Born In Our Hearts is a deeply honest book.A collection of adoption views written by the adopted children, the birth mother, the adoptive parents and grandparents. This book provides an insight and a true understanding into their world.It will leave you with a tear in your eye.
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Subjects:  1. Adopted children    2. Adoption    3. Adoptive parents    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family/Marriage    7. Intercountry adoption    8. Motivational & Inspirational    9. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Reviews (11)

great book
I was a little hesitant about the whole open adoption situation, until I read this book.It really helped me to understand how open adoptiongs work.This is a well written and practical book.If you only read one book on open adoption, read this one!

Open adoption�A Rose Garden?
If I were adopting today and had read this thoughtful book, I would jump at the opportunity for an open adoption. The information on pre-adoption and placement aspects is persuasive for both adoptive and birth parents, especially since the author is non-judgmental. When you think about it, open adoption seems ideal for both parties involved. Really a utopia. I get goose bumps thinking about it. And yet. . . yet. . . The U.S. has gone from one extreme of adoption practice (secrecy) to another, openness. Unfortunately, the adversarial relationship between advocates and critics of openness in adoption is exacerbated by lack of empirical research. It is this lack of empirical evidence that should caution prospective adoptive parents about this new extreme practice. Lois Ruskai Melina�s book was published in 1993, but we have now at least one large longitudinal study on openness. Harold D. Grotevant and Ruth G. McRoy report in their study, Openness in Adoption, Exploring Family Connections (Sage 1998): �The clearest policy implication of our work is that no single type of adoption is best for everyone.� These authors warn that the long-term impact of openness for all parties in the adoptive kinship network is not known and longitudinal research is necessary to answer this question. We now have a generation of children who grew up in open adoptions, and we need to find out from them, now that they are adults, how they perceived the practice in their lives. We do not have such a comprehensive study of their experiences, but only anecdotal records. Even if some adoptive and birth parents like openness, this does not mean that the practice is good for the children. Some research also indicates that birthmothers who see their children suffer more than those who do not see them. Very Useful Resource
I found this book really helpful, and wished that I had discovered it sooner.Besides just being a good primer on open adoption, it has very useful sections about "Readiness for Open Adoption", "Choosing Each Other", "Getting to Know Each Other" and parts titled "Birth and Placement" and "The Relationship Grows and Changes" - which discusses what to expect during the first year, and as the relationship grows and changes over time.It also discusses how open adoption affects the children in the families - adopted or otherwise.It also includes what to do/how to handle the situation when the Birthmom cancels the adoption plan.Overall, I thought it was a great book, as it had a good balance between the birth parents' perspective and that of the adoptive parents. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adopted children    2. Adoption    3. Adoptive parents    4. Birthparents    5. Child Care/Parenting    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family relationships    8. Open adoption    9. Parenting - General    10. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (14)

great book
This book is very informative, not so much on the official processes but in what to expect when returning home. There are also many useful resources listed in the book.

A Tad More Perspective
I have been reading this marvelous resource but was deeply discouraged when I read four articles in a row about sickly children.It reminded me of Sophie's Choice in having to choose. How does one do that??? Here is how it goes: you arrive in China, are handed a very ill child and the next day, having spent a significant amount of time with this child and attempted to bond, are handed another one.You are then left with the onerous choice you must make.I was so moved by this only to move on to the next article with a like scenario. Two different outcomes.THEN the next article contains yet another sick child.Then the editors move to the next subject.Very disheartening. The book is all what everyone else has written as well, but be forewarned, that there are some tough scenarios of others whose paths we all intend to follow. I have now changed my prayers to reflect the reality check the book provided.Being so close to our referral date was probably not great timing to confront these issues.

The single best source of info. on Adoption from China
This wonderful book provides information about the technical and emotional aspects of adopting from China.I read this book before I sent my dossier to China five years ago and am re-reading it now.The book addresses all phases of the adoption process - from making the decision to adopt to raising your child.I give copies of this book to clients and friends who are considering international adoption. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. China   

Reviews (3)

Hope for a sequel
I read the "trilogy" this summer, starting with, what I consider her best, Fifty Acres and a Poodle, followed by The Exact Same Moon. I did enjoy Growing Girls, although the chapters were erratic at times and did not exactly follow a timeline. It was more a collection of essays. I'm hoping she will write another book as I love hearing about her life as a mom and the rigors/joys of living on a farm. I was disappointed not to hear more about Marley the poodle in this book, but I know she has a different focus now that she has kids.

Refers to Chinese people as "monsters"
Ms. Laskas is a good writer, and can be very funny at times. She writes well about animals.
Erma Bombeck is Back
Being a male I can't totally emphasize with Ms. Laskas points of view about raising girls. But being the father of a girl I can say how surprised I was to find that raising a girl was basically a full time job for two adults. But what a blast. (Not that I'd want to do it again, I'm waiting for grandchildren to spoil.)
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Subjects:  1. 1958-    2. Adoption    3. Adoption And Adoption Services    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Essays    8. Laskas, Jeanne Marie,    9. Motherhood    10. Parent And Child    11. Parenting - General    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Women   

Reviews (14)

Outstanding - insightful, balanced, and powerful
This book consists of a series of essays by adoptive parents, each of which expresses some distilled, highly personal, and pretty intense kernels of truth about their own individual adoptive parenting experiences.The authors are all professional writers, and this really comes across in the power of their words.The essays reflect both joyful and painful experiences and as a result richly characterizes the complexities of being an adoptive parent.I was completely hooked--couldn't put it down.

Professional authors write of their personal experiences...
This was a very moving collection of adoptive stories from professional writers. I emphasize the "professional" part only because the result is a much better book (editing, flow, content) then other compilations I've read written by non-writers. (Those, unfortunately, caused me to sometimes focus on lack of editing, poor grammer, etc rather than the content).
Compellingadoption stories
This collection of essays covers all aspects of adopting.The stories are very moving, honest and compelling.It covers both international and domestic adoption. It addresses some of the most difficult challenges that adoptive families must face.It is the best adoption book that I have read in YEARS!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoption And Adoption Services    3. Adoptive parents    4. Biography    5. Family    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Family/Marriage    9. Parent And Child    10. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Intercountry adoption    7. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Editorial Review

Joyce Maguire Pavao dedicates her book Read more

Reviews (18)

Great reading for anyone touched by adoption
This book is an excellent discussion of the ways adoption is experienced by all members of the triad, with particular emphasis on the normal developmental issues adoptees face at different times of their lives. Joyce Maguire Pavao is clear and forthright, sensitive and reassuring. Her wise insight is illustrated with examples and the poetry of adoptees. I highly recommend this book.

Adoption Attorney's Praise for The Family of Adoption
As the attorney for many adoptive families I sometimes find myself filling in information that social workers haven't provided, or at least haven't provided in a way that the family understood. A couple of issues that come up often are, "I've been told that adoption is not the same as birth parenting, but exactly how is it different?" and "How will adoption affect my child through out his or her childhood." I find that many families do not understand these issues before they adopt. This is the perfect book to put in the hand of a prospective family. It is also great for families experiencing adoption related challenges who feel that they are unique and alone. This book gives them comfort and understand. It is a great resource. It is short too, families like. Thank you Dr. Pavao.

If you only read one
As an adoptive mother, I have read and collected a shelf full of books on the subject of adoption. Joyce Pavao's well researched and thoughtful book, The Family of Adoption, is one of the very best. It's the first book that I recommend to anyone interested in or touched by adoption.
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Subjects:  1. Adopted children    2. Adoptees    3. Adoption    4. Adoption And Adoption Services    5. Family    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Family relationships    9. Family/Marriage    10. General    11. Parent And Child    12. Social Work    13. Child care & upbringing    14. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Reviews (1)

great,thoughtful book with lots of extras
it was a good look at an insider's perspective on adoption.captures a new mother's heart as well as someone interested in world travel and politics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoptive parents    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. China    6. History    7. History: World    8. Intercountry adoption    9. Parental Memoirs    10. United States    11. Women    12. World - General    13. Biography: general    14. History / World    15. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (13)

Balanced between reality and optimism
Reading this book affirmed for me that we were doing the right thing by not adopting an infant.This book is chocked full of in-your-face warnings, but also celebrates your choice to adopt.Very informative.Easy to read writing voice.Great buy!:) I would also reccomend Waiting for You: An Heirloom Adoption Journal for My Future Child.It is an expectancy journal that works well with older children.If you're adopting, God Bless your adoption journey!

Maskew gives good suggestions and explanations
I have adopted an African seven year old and I found Trish Maskew's book very very helpful, together with Adopting the Hurt Child you can be prepared for anything. Excellent resource
I read this as we were matched with a sibling pair - 10 and 12 yr olds and it was a godsend!We're 3 months into the adoption, this book was on themark so many, many times!It is excellent and I've been reading many bookson adoption - this one addressed what we needed - older children - notinfants, not international.I highly recommend it to anyone involved. Someof the info may scare you, but it's worth knowing! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Developmental - Child    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Parenting - General   

Reviews (3)

Adoption-What does it mean to children and families
This can be a tricky issue if families and chidren are not introduced to it sensitively. This book does just that for families,children and agency staff. Domestic,foreign adoptions and the very many questions surrounding adoption are covered in a no-nonsense way in friendly language.

Finally a book that has some focus on older kid adoption
I have been searching for a book to read to my 2 adopted daughters (ages 8 and 5) that talks about older child adoption and all of the emotions and thoughts that can happen for kids during the process.I am so glad to have found this book!Its a great read with kids who are getting ready for adoption or have gone through adoption in an easy to understand format.There are many story books on international adoption but very, very few on adoption of older kids from foster care.Its a must have for families, teachers, and therapists.

Better for domestic
I think this book is more appropriate for domestic adoption. There were a few things that bothered me such as that "usually" adoptive parents know something about birth parents. Most people I know through adoption groups(international) know pretty close to nothing about the birth parents. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Family - Adoption    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    8. Fostering & adoption   

Reviews (1)

The Facts and The Feelings
We are surrounded by books written about adoption issues from each participant's perspective - the adoptee, the birth parents, the adoptive parents, and even agency workers and counselors. Those written by the"adoption triad" are generally highly emotionally charged. In ThePsychology of Adoption, David Brodzinsky and Marshall Schechter havecovered a broad range of adoption issues, but have approached themclinically. This is excellent source material for those who are interestedin studies that investigate the problems and complications experienced byadoptive parents, adopted children, and birthparents. Brodzinsky andSchechter present and compare results of numerous clinical studies that arethe foundation for their professional opinions on, and recommendedapproaches to improved emotional, psychological and mental health forfamilies involved in adoption. Some of the documentation is difficult towade through at times, but I was pleased to discover genuine compassion intheir treatment of the subject. These men struck me as being caringprofessionals who are striving to improve a flawed adoption system that isnot producing healthy, satisfied participants. They address the complexproblems inherent in adoption, and offer options and solutions that,although perhaps not popular or commonly well-known or readily available,have been found to be healing and helpful to troubled families. Possiblymore important, they advocate changes to the adoption system that might bepreventive medicine for families who are statistically "destined"to have a less than successful adoption experience. I would recommend thisbook to those who appreciate an educated, clinical perspective that isrefreshingly balanced with deeply felt and caring commentary on theadoption experience. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoption And Adoption Services    3. Psychology    4. Psychology Of Special Subjects    5. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    6. Social Work    7. Child & developmental psychology    8. Child welfare    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Psychology    10. Psychology | Developmental