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Book Details
Abstract
"Who makes adoption a success? We do: the kids and parents in the new family as we change shape to accommodate each other."
With more than 70 real life stories, revealing moments of vulnerability and moments of joy, this book provides an authentic insight into adoption.
These stories take the reader on a journey through every stage of the adoption process, from making the initial decision to adopt to hearing from adoptees, and offer an informative and emotive account of the reality of families' experiences along the way. It includes chapters on adopting children of all ages as well as sibling groups; adopting as a single parent; adopting as a same sex couple; adopting emotionally and physically abused children; the nightmare of adoption breaking down; contact with birth parents; tracing and social media and more.
Adopting: Real Life Stories will be an informative and refreshing read for adopters, potential adopters, professionals and all those whose lives have in some way been touched by adoption or want to know more about it.
There is nothing that can replace the knowledge and experience of those who have trod the path ahead of others... I thoroughly recommend this book.
from the Foreword by Hugh Thornbery CBE, Chief Executive, Adoption UK
Ann Morris is a journalist, magazine editor and media consultant living in London. She is the author of several books. Adoption UK is a registered charity which aims to provide information, support and advice for prospective and existing adoptive parents and long-term foster carers.
Adopting: Real Life Stories brings together many voices and experiences and represents adoption in all its wonderful and sometimes frightening complexity. The book is accessible and there is much to be learnt from the broad range of accounts, all of which are written with authenticity and compassion. Ann Morris sets out 'not to underestimate the joys of adoption, but to reveal the challenges honestly', the book achieves this and more. It bravely tackles the realities but at the same time encourages hope and understanding, and that's a difficult balance to achieve.
Sally Donovan, author of 'No Matter What' and editor of Adoption Today
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopting – Real Life Stories by Ann Morris | 3 | ||
| Foreword | 7 | ||
| Introduction | 11 | ||
| 1. So You Want to Adopt? | 15 | ||
| 2. First Meetings, First Months | 29 | ||
| 3. Adopting Babies and Toddlers | 45 | ||
| 4. Adopting Older Children | 57 | ||
| 5. Adolescents | 73 | ||
| 6. Adopting a Child with a Physical or Learning Disability | 91 | ||
| 7. Adopting an Emotionally, Physically or Sexually Abused Child | 107 | ||
| 8. Going It Alone | 119 | ||
| 9. Same-Sex Couples | 131 | ||
| 10. Adopting Siblings | 141 | ||
| 11 .One Plus One – Adopting a Second Child | 157 | ||
| 12. Adoption, Race and Religion | 171 | ||
| 13. Taking in the Child, Taking on the School | 179 | ||
| 14. Contact in Adoption | 197 | ||
| 15. Attachment Issues | 211 | ||
| 16. Breakdown | 227 | ||
| 17. Who Am I? Telling, Talking and Needing to Know More | 239 | ||
| 18. Tracing and Social Media | 247 | ||
| 19. The Birth Mother’s Story | 265 | ||
| Useful Resources | 277 | ||
| Glossary | 283 |