There are many excellent books on adoption and we have referenced just a few here. We recommend Tapestry Books, which have an excellent selection of books for everyone involved in adoption.
Dear Birthmother
Author: Kathleen Silber
This book on open adoption, recommended by the Child Welfare League of America, has been updated to reflect current practices. It provides specific and practical suggestions about beginning and maintaining an open adoption. It also contains actual letters written between adoptive families and birthparents. DEAR BIRTHMOTHER will help you carefully consider the issues involved in adoption.
Open Adoption Experience
Author: Lois Ruskai Melina and Sharon Kaplan Roszia
Two leading adoption experts provide this reassuring guide to the issues and concerns of adoptive and birth families through all stages of the open adoption relationship, from making the decision through the child's growing years. A must-read for anyone involved in or considering an open adoption, including adoptive and birthparents.
The Open Adoption Book
Author: Bruce M. Rappaport, Ph.D.
In an open adoption, both the birthparents and adoptive parents are actively involved in all phases of the process. Interweaving personal stories with answers to the questions most frequently asked about the process, this informative book is designed to help all parties overcome the anxieties often associated with adoption.
Children of Open Adoption
Authors: Kathleen Silber and Patricia Martinez Dorner
Two pioneers in the field examine scores of open adoption experiences from infancy to adolescence. Among topics covered: bonding, grief, communication, entitlement, and adoption understanding among children.
The Third Choice: A Woman's Guide to Placing a Child for Adoption
Authors: Leslie Foge and Gail Mosconi
A wonderful tool for women seeking support during a difficult time. – http://www.thirdchoicebooks.com
Making Room in Our Hearts: Keeping Family Ties through Open Adoption
Author: Micky Duxbury
This 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 Means Love: Triumph of the Heart
This book is a powerful compilation of stories from people across the country and around the world, who have been personally touched by the miracle of adoption. – http://www.adoptionmeanslove.org
Adoptive Families
Adoptive Families is an award-winning national adoption magazine, and is the leading adoption information source for families before, during, and after adoption.
Adoption TODAY
Adoption TODAY is a magazine that deals with the issues and answers surrounding International and domestic adoption. Written by adoptive parents, adoptees and professionals in the fields of medicine, law, education, social work, child development and international and domestic adoption.
Adoption Week e-Magazine
Adoption Week e-magazine is a weekly electronic publication containing adoption news, articles, poetry, product reviews & specials, a waiting child, an inspirational thought, recent adoption forum discussions, humor and upcoming events.
GETTING OFF THE MEDICAL TREADMILL
There I was, sitting out there in the waiting room with my husband after his third sperm washing. I suddenly had a flash. I respected and even liked my doctor, but maybe what he wanted and what we wanted were different. He wanted to cure my infertility—and that's what doctors are there for, to cure things. But we did not want a cure, we wanted a baby!!! Continued >>
ELIMINATE BIRTHPARENTS STEREOTYPES
Although their ages, backgrounds and situations vary, most birthparents who choose to work with the IAC to plan open adoptions for their babies have long-term life goals. They all love their babies, and a tremendous amount of forethought and effort has gone into their adoption plans. Continued >>
THE TWO SETS OF PARENTS MYTH
Knowing both their adoptive parents and their birthparents does not confuse children in open adoption. They understand their birthparents represent their biological origins and their adoptive parents are simply mom and dad. They know who their parents are: they are people who are committed to them, who are always there, and who love and take care of them as parents. Continued >>
THE SHARED PARENTING MYTH
Legally, there is only one formal set of parents—the adoptive parents—with the right to make decisions for their child. The birthparents have chosen a particular family precisely because they wanted this person or this couple to be their child's parents. They feel the connection to the child but as a loving relative, no longer as a parent. And they welcome this feeling with a combination of joy and relief. Continued >>
LOVING AND BONDING WITH YOUR ADOPTED BABY
Contrary to the common myths about bonding, the process does not always happen instantaneously for either biological or adoptive parents. For many parents, their profound bond to their child develops over time through a variety of experiences. Whether the bonds are instant or gradual, the ties between adoptive parents and adopted children are as strong as any between biological child and biological parent. Continued >>
RELATIONSHIPS IN OPEN ADOPTION
Yes, most of our couples have a lot of questions and fears when they first start. Once having adopted openly though, they will all tell you they would not have done it any other way. Open adoption can seem frightening, but quite contrary to their expectations; almost everyone finds the relationships surprisingly easy. In effect, what is happening is that the adoptive parents are adding new relatives to their family—a baby and the child's birthparents. Continued >>
COUNSELORS, LAWYERS, AND DOCTORS
A successful open adoption takes considerable work and care. Open adoption requires determination and the commitment to see the process through to the end. And something else is needed: the best and the most comprehensive counseling support available. Though legal and medical issues are important, they are generally less critical than emotional concerns in an adoption. Continued >>
THE IMPORTANCE OF ONGOING CONTACT
The most profound reassurance to a child about their adoption is probably the actual presence of the birthparents in their lives. Continued >>
THE IMPORTANCE OF HERITAGE TO THE ADOPTED CHILD
As it should be, the greatest benefactor of an open adoption is the child. In the past, a child's adoption was, at best, a source of confusion and doubt. At worst, it was a source of shame. Continued >>
KNOWING WHY THEIR BIRTH FAMILY CHOSE TO HAVE THEM ADOPTED
Often the deepest concern of adopted children is why their birthparents chose to have them adopted. Continued >>
OPEN ADOPTION DOES NOT SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM
Does this mean that open adoption solves all the problems of an adopted child? Of course not. Open adoption does mean bringing the child's birthparents into the adoptive family as relatives. Continued >>
THE ADOPTED CHILD: PEERS AND SOCIETY
What about the adopted child's treatment by their friends, relatives, and society in general? Continued>>
