Are you considering adoption and don't know where to start?
Two Hearts has compiled a list of websites and books that have helped us through the years. There is more than one way to build a family through adoption, whether it be domestic or international, Adoptive Families magazine is a great resource and has a lot of valuable information to consider.
Two important steps in adoption:
1) Choose the type of adoption that works best for your family. One program is not better than the other, just different. Adoption.com does a fantastic job of explaining the many different types of adoption.
2) Choose an agency. This is one of the most important steps in your adoption. You need to be an educated consumer. Network with other families and do plenty of research before deciding on the right agency. Rainbow Kids has an excellent program for finding agencies by country they work in and state they are out of.
One of the most important aspects to our personal adoption stories has been the other families we have connected with. Having people to chat with during the ups and downs of the adoption process is irreplaceable. Yahoo.com has numerous online communities to join and connect with others going through the adoption process. Whether you are just starting out and researching agencies or you are traveling to a specific country, there is a group for you.
Adoption Books:
The books we recommend have been read by us, our board members and our children. We all consider these books important to the process of adoption.
Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections by Jean MacLeod
Adoptive Parenting From the Ground Up by Katie Prigel Sharp
Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today's Parents by Deborah D. Gray
Raising Adopted Children: Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent by Lois Ruskai Melina
The Complete Book of International Adoption: A Step by Step Guide to Finding Your Child by Dawn Davenport
Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft by Mary Hopkins-Best
The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family by Dr. Karyn Purvis
The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz
Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow by Gregory Keck
Children's Books:
A Blessing From Above by Patti Henderson
A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza
Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children by Sherrie Eldridge
Happy Adoption Day by John McCutcheon
How I Was Adopted by Joanna Cole
I Don't Have Your Eyes by Carrie Kitze
Tell Me Again About The Night I was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
When I Met You: A Story of Russian Adoption by Adrienne Ehlert Bashista
God Found Us You by Lisa Bergren
I Wished for You by Marianne Richmond
