[Mybrid]

We're in our very first steps of considering adoption and were wondering if there is any one book that is highly recommended that explains the process of adoption (nationwide and international).

Rather than trying to wade through a ton of messages on the internet and the numerous websites dealing with it, we would rather take it slow and go with a good book that talks about it. Something like "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

We are not interested in any books dealing with the emotional aspects of it. We'll get to those books if adoption ever becomes a reality. First we want to see what is involved in adoption before we approach any agency, private or public.

Hopefully, this book does exist out there.

I'm posting under a psuedonym due to some uncomfort of revealing my real name at this point.

[SuzanneS]

I just ordered Adoption for Dummies. I think it is pretty much a how to and not necessarily for the emotional side. I haven't gotten it yet, but the review sounded helpful on Amazon.com.

I also ordered Adopting after Infertility since that is what we are going through. Obviously, this is more an emotional issue book.

Good luck!

Suzanne

[rredhead]

Originally Posted by Mybrid

We're in our very first steps of considering adoption and were wondering if there is any one book that is highly recommended that explains the process of adoption (nationwide and international).

Rather than trying to wade through a ton of messages on the internet and the numerous websites dealing with it, we would rather take it slow and go with a good book that talks about it. Something like "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

We are not interested in any books dealing with the emotional aspects of it. We'll get to those books if adoption ever becomes a reality. First we want to see what is involved in adoption before we approach any agency, private or public.

Hopefully, this book does exist out there.

I'm posting under a psuedonym due to some uncomfort of revealing my real name at this point.

Hi,

Try Is Adoption for You by Christine Adamec. It's EXCELLENT and really gets to the meat of the situation. I read it twice, once when we were considering adoption, and again when we knew we were going to adopt. I got a lot out of it each time.

Another book that discusses the hows and whys is The Essential Adoption Handbook, by Colleen Alexander-Roberts.

Hope this helps!
-Rmc

[Mybrid]

Suzanne, thank you for your reply. I am also going through infertility issues. But I skimmed the book in the bookstore and I didn't find the book up my aisle. I'm not in need of any emotional support for going through infertility as I've pretty much known this for most of my life and it's not a huge shock for me.

RMC, I ended up buying the book "Is adoption for you" and you're right - it's one heck of an amazing book. I got hooked on it while still in the bookstore. It speaks my language. Tells me what adoption is like and from an author who's had plenty experience with it!!!

Thanks for the help.

Mybrid

[kimmie11]

Hi!
I read the following books when I started and each had something useful in them; The Complete Adoption Book, by Laura Beauvais-Godwin, The Adoption Resouce Book, by Lois Gilman, and Fast Track Adoption, by Susan Burns. I also read Adoption for Dummies Good Luck & Happy Reading!

[sugarbabysmommy]

The majority of the good books that we've read have been concerned with the emotional side, and the logistics, so to speak, of the emotional side after an adoption, like navigating an open adoption relationship. The main reason for this is we didn't seek out any "process books" mainly because those questions were answered for us by the various agencies we contacted. Any agency you contact should send you a general info packet that will include basics about their process and adoption in general. Most of the agencies we considered also offered a no obligation seminar that covered a lot of information and questions, aside from getting a feel for the agency it gave us a greater feel for whether or not adoption was for us.

Two resources you might find useful are pactadopt.org and Resolve (Resolve not so much for their infertility information but they may offer "adoption process" info). Pact's website is full of articles, and a number have to do with helping one assess readiness or interest in adoption. Pact also has favorite books they recommend, some might be what you're looking for.

[tobeafamily]

I hihgly recommend:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Adoption

For domestic parental placement I also recommend:

The Open Adoption Experience by Lois Molina
Dear Birthmother by Kathleen Silber
Adopting In America: How to Adopt Within One Year by Randall Hicks.

Best of luck, remember there is no one best way to adopt, only a best way for you.

Regina