The Adoption Reunion Handbook

The book describes the experiences that people have had when tracing their birth parents, as well as offering practical advice on how to go about searching and what to expect emotionally. Each section has an advice box which summarizes key points, notes issues to pay particular attention to, or offers draft letters that readers can adapt for their own needs. The appendix contains useful addresses and weblinks, and includes checklists for searching and for the reunion. Chapters include reunion with birth fathers and birth siblings, as well as with birth mothers, the relationship with the adoptive family and dealing with reunions that break down.

In this practical book, Michelle McColm takes the adoptee and birth parent carefully through the process of adoption reunion; drawing on extensive interviews and the experience of her own reunion.

What happens when an adoptee decides to locate a birthparent or a birthparent wants to find a child given up long ago? How does one search for people whose names one does not know? And what happens during a reunion? In 1983, Jean A. S. Strauss was faced with these questions when she began her search for her birthmother, and in this inspiring new handbook, she shares her experience. Strauss will help you throughout this significant time. Brimming with important reference sources and dozens of true-life stories, this valuable resource will guide you in: · Making the difficult decision to search · Navigating through the emotional turbulence of a reunion · Dealing with the impact of the search on the adoptive parents Compassionate and insightful, Birthright is for anyone seeking to connect with someone long lost.

'Handbook of Adoption' addresses topics in adoption that reflect the many dimensions of theory, research, development, race adjustment and clinical practice which can affect adoption triad members.

As many as one quarter of a million North Americans are searching for their biological parents. When they connect, the emotional turbulence of the initial meeting can discourage one or both parties from pursuing a deeper relationship. This compassionate guide offers help to both sides, drawing upon real-life experiences to help birthparents and adoptees prepare for their own reunion.

A reunion between family members who have been separated by an adoption can be a very emotional event. For most people there is great joy and excitement, but for some there can be anger and disappointment. The ecstasy of adoption reunions probably needs no explanation and is often enthusiastically anticipated. However, agony can also be experienced and this is often unexpected and alarming. Many books have been produced which describe people's experiences of adoption and reunion. However, Evelyn Robinson's books successfully explain in a straightforward manner why those people feel the way they do. Her books help readers to put their feelings and experiences into a useful context. Evelyn's approach is both personal and professional, but, above all, practical and informative. Evelyn Robinson has written four books about adoption. This is her third book. 'Adoption Reunion - Ecstasy or Agony?' is partly an updated and condensed version of her first two books, with some new material added. In it she explains simply and concisely what it is about adoption separation and reunion which causes such intense and varied emotions. Evelyn has included a selection of her responses to some of the many questions she has been asked over the last twenty years. Evelyn's answers are always gentle yet direct and exhibit the wisdom and knowledge she has gained throughout her wide-ranging experience of working with members of the adoption community and professionals in many locations around the world.'Adoption Reunion - Ecstasy or Agony?' was published in 2009 and updated in 2018.

By comparing a group of adopted people who searched for birth relatives, with a group who did not, this is the first study to provide real answers to the fascinating subject of why adopted adults decide to search or not. Based on the experiences of 500 adopted people, the research exhaustively looked at all the possible influences on search decisions.

Seventy stories of people involved in adoptee searches, with comments by the author. The focus of the book is to offer insight into the feelings and coping mechanisms involved to potential searchers and professionals.