A For Adoption

"The experience of adoption, both adopting and being adopted, can stir up deep emotional pain, often related to loss and early trauma. A for Adoption provides insight and support to those families and individuals facing these complex processes and challenges. Drawing on both a psychoanalytic, theoretical framework, and first-hand accounts of adopters, adoptees and professionals within the adoption process, Alison Roy responds to the need for further and consistent support for adoptive parents and children, to help inform and understand the reality of their every-day lives. This book explores both the current and historical context of adoption, as well as its depiction within literature, before addressing issues such as conflict in relationships, the impact of significant trauma and loss, attachment and the importance of early relationships, and contact with birth families. Uniquely, this book addresses the experiences of, and provides support for, both adoptive professionals and families. It focuses on understanding, rather than apportioning blame, and responds to a plea from parents who requested ".... a book to help me understand my child better...""--

The ideal first book for prospective adopters. When you decide to adopt a child, you might assume that all the important work begins when the child comes to live with you. In fact the preparation stage before is crucial in ensuring that the adopted child will arrive to a safe and secure family. Preparing for Adoption provides clear advice on how to prepare for you adoptive child and create a strong foundation for a healthy and loving relationship. Julia Davis explains how many different factors can shape preparations for adoption, such as finding out about your child's history and using this information to establish a family environment which will meet your child's specific attachment needs. There is also advice on how to prepare your home to create a sense of safety for your child and how to prepare your family to support you as adoptive parents. Primarily for adopters, foster carers and professionals supporting adopters, this book offers ideas and strategies to help parents prepare a happy and settled home for children before their arrival and ways to parent them in the early days of becoming a family that addresses their attachment needs.

For anyone considering or going through Fostering for Adoption, this book gives you a detailed, personal account of the process which takes you through all the stages and prepares you to cope with the highs and lows. Fostering for Adoption is a relatively recent initiative (Children and Families Act, 2014) in the adoption legal landscape, seeking early permanence for babies and young children where adoption is most likely to be the plan for the child. This is often cited as a route to be in the best interests of the child, enabling secure attachments and stability. However, for adopters it is inherently risky, it is the adopters who take on the risk in this situation, accept the placement on a fostering basis and hope that the final outcome will be adoption. There is currently a knowledge gap on experiences of Fostering for Adoption which this book tackles. Written from an adopters’ perspective of the risks and challenges, as well as the benefits that it brings, it is perfect for those who are considering the process as well as their friends and family. A book on Fostering for Adoption can’t just focus on one story and one outcome so we’ve included case studies which cover the key experiences adopters may face when agreeing to accept a baby on a Foster to Adopt placement such as: Caring for a baby a few days after birth The paperwork, rules and fostering process The uncertainty and risk Meeting with birth parents Contact Looking after a withdrawing baby A termination of placement Written in an engaging and friendly style, this book is perfect reading for anyone looking to adopt a child and for adoption professionals seeking to understand the experience of the adopter more profoundly. Praise for Fostering for Adoption "As someone who has been through a similar journey this book resonated with me. It is honest about the ups and downs and is a great, informative book for anybody thinking of taking this route or who have family or friends that are. I can say that this book will help anyone at the beginning of their journey, to help them through the process and – start the lifetime of learning about how we can support our children." Lisa Faulkner, Author, Meant to be "Alice’s book will be a great companion to anyone considering or starting on the foster to adopt process. It is well-researched and written and doesn’t shy away from the many complexities and the considerations that adults must make in the best interests of children." Sally Donovan, Author of No Matter What, and Editor of Adoption Today "I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I found myself laughing and getting emotional throughout. As someone who has themselves been adopted, but who is also a social worker who has now adopted a child, this book is brilliant from every angle. A must read for anyone considering Fostering for Adoption." Jo, Social Worker, Midlands “This book gives a balanced and honest view of the whole Fostering for Adoption journey. It gets to the emotions and seriousness of decisions being made about children's lives. This is an important read for any potential adopter and will be on our book lists for sure” Angi, Social Worker, Adoption Tees Valley

“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

The words in A is for Adoption reflect 19 years of adoptive parent experience. This book explains adoption language with compassion and beauty using child friendly imagery. The rich illustrations bring sparkle and life to the words. This adoption book is meant to be a shared experience between parent and child. It will satisfy the natural curiosity the young child has about being adopted, and it will nurture and enrich the dialog of adoptive families. It is the hope of the author that the family will internalize the words and illustrations for a lifetime of meaning and memories. The language and illustrations will take on new meaning as the child and family grow in their understanding of what it means to be an adoptive family. The ABC format and vivid illustrations create a colorful, meaningful and sensitive explanation of adoption. It is a book every adoptive family will want in their library.

How to decide if you are ready; what to ask the experts; types of adoption to consider.

What does it take to keep a family together; a family completed through adoption? Love, patience, compassion, understanding—a little of everything maybe. The book elucidates real-life adoption experiences through the voices of adoptive families and adult adoptees as they share their moments of joy, sadness, challenges, pain, fulfilment and much more. It touches upon grief and loss and the stark realities of adoption. Adoptive parents share their experiences of how they let their adopted children know that they were adopted and how they handled “root search” which are crucial issues when it comes to understanding adoption. The book highlights some of the less frequently discussed adoption issues such as dealing with mixed emotions relating to an identity crisis and the desire of the adoptees to learn about their biological roots. Also included are candid accounts from adult adoptees on ‘Growing up in Adoption’. By providing glimpses of the world of adoption, the author aims to aid prospective and current adopting individuals to understand the thought process of adoptive children and be better prepared as parents. Are you looking to adopt? Don’t forget to take a look at the questionnaire to test your readiness for adoption. #adoptionmakesafamily “This book is a welcome contribution to the small body of literature on adoption in India.” – Dr. Shalini Bharat, Director and Vice-Chancellor of Tata Institute of Social Sciences. “This book has a mission not just to educate but it will be a support through your pilgrimage as a parent.” – Dr. Aloma Lobo, Adoptive Parent and former Chairperson of the Central Adoption Resource Authority and the Adoption Coordinating Agency, Karnataka. Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra works towards making a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families since 1979.