Jim Gritter's third book for CWLA examines the next step after open adoption. Building on his previous books, which promote the inclusion of birthparents, Gritter takes the approach that practicing goodwill, respect, and courage within the realm of adoption makes the process move smoother and enriches children's lives.

This book covers common open adoption situations and how real families have navigated typical issues successfully. Like all useful parenting books, it provides parents with the tools to come to answers on their own, and answers questions that might not yet have come up.

More and more individuals, families, and churches are seeking ways they can respond to the biblical mandate to care for "the least of these." The desire to help children coming from difficult situations is a necessary starting point, but what comes next? You need to know the steps for getting involved and what will truly help. Filled with real-life stories and practical advice, Called to Care starts by helping you honestly assess your motivation to help--sometimes the wrong motivation sets the stage for an unsuccessful experience. From there, the book shows what adoption and foster care really look like in a variety of situations, from domestic and international adoptions to short-term foster care and foster-to-adopt arrangements. Also included is how churches and individuals can minister to refugees. Rounding out this comprehensive yet concise book are tips for assessing your preparedness, how to meet common emotional and physical challenges, and the most effective ways to help families stay together and thrive. Bethany is a global nonprofit that supports children and families with world-class social services, all designed to help families thrive. We believe every child deserves to be loved, connected, and empowered through family.

Dr. Sharon Estill Taylor has written a highly readable and illuminating account of her experience as a birthmother in the sixties. With a keen eye for detail and a wry sense of humor, she vividly recounts the ways the no-questions-asked cultural forces of the time swept her toward the surrender of her son. Though steamrolled by a process that gave her no say, Dr. Taylor persevered and found her voice as an early champion of sensitive search and reunion. -Jim Gritter, author of The Spirit of Open Adoption, Lifegivers, and Hospitious Adoption Praise for Phantom Son:: In Phantom Son, Dr. Sharon Estill Taylor tells her own story of being an unwed mother at age 18 in the early 1960s. It bridges a time when unwed women endured devastating discrimination and pressure to give up their parental rights to a time when searching for and finding these children was more accepted and facilitated by society. There are smaller sub-stories, including one about the author's loss of her father who was killed in World War II, and how that event affected her family over the decades; and another about her experience of sex and identity-formation in the 1960s. These sub-stories are fascinating and contribute to the gripping nature of this book. Beyond all, this is a story of grief, courage, and redemption. The lives of most people are filled with issues and complexities that only can be addressed by storytelling. Taylor does that with grace and eloquence. -John Harvey, Editor of the Journal of Loss and Trauma, and Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, University of Iowa Dr. Sharon Estill Taylor's account of her unintended pregnancy and her subsequent traumatic adoption process in the 1960s is an important reminder of how far we have come as a society in terms of the acceptance of out of wedlock births. Instead of the rampant shaming and secrecy surrounding these pregnancies, these commonplace events are now tolerated and even celebrated. This is how it should be as the impact of societal and religious silencing and shame heaped upon these mothers in the 1960s was nothing short of traumatic abuse, as Dr. Taylor tells us in her book. This is an important read for anyone, but I particularly recommend this book for those whose lives have been affected by the disenfranchised grief of coerced adoption. -Deborah Stokes, PhD, Director of The Better Brain Center, Washington, DC In Phantom Son, Dr. Sharon Estill Taylor shares her journey as an unwed mother in the 1960s and her courageous search for the son she had to give up. Her grief and loss give way to the formation of wonderful familial relationships. In the tradition of the Irish story teller, Dr. Taylor gives her readers a powerful gift that will resonate in their own lives. -Fr. Kilian J. Malvey, O.S.B., Professor of Theology, Saint Martin's University As a reunited adoptee, I never tire of reading about reunions. In Dr. Sharon Estill Taylor's Phantom Son, the reader experiences the author's journey from love-struck teenager to expectant mother to powerful advocate for other birthmothers. Dr. Taylor vividly describes how she was forced to physically separate from her son and how she kept the emotional connection alive in her soul. Dr. Taylor's writing is raw, open, and honest; important qualities when dealing with such emotional subject matter. -Christine Murphy, author of Taking Down the Wall:

This comprehensive, accessible guide leads you with confidence through every decision you'll have to make during the adoption process -- including the ones that you'd never know to expect. So you've made the decision to adopt. What's next? For starters, how do you know whether domestic or international adoption is right for you? (And what are the real differences between the two?) Adoption insider Elizabeth Swire Falker answers these questions and many more. As an attorney who practices in the area of adoption and has worked with hundreds of families, and as an adoptive parent herself, she offers expert advice on each stage of the process. Complete with checklists, tips, sidebars, and plenty of advice, it shows you how to: Identify which adoption experts you do and don't need Find the right birth mother or choose the right country for your family-and how to spot red flags in potential situations Select an attorney or agency and prepare for your home visit Finance an adoption on a budget, manage the red tape, and get around the roadblocks Navigate all of the complex emotions that surface along the way With Elizabeth Swire Falker's warm yet been-there-done-that voice, The Insider's Guide to Adoption is sure to become a tried-and-true resource for adoptive parents everywhere.

All My Children actress Jill Larson moved mountains as a single mother to adopt her daughter from China. George Fadok, a former Navy commander, grappled with “changing the rules” eighteen years after placing his daughter in a closed adoption. Angela Paxton, Texas state senator and an adoptee, never thought she would ever meet her birthmom, but when she did, it changed her life. Embarking on an adoption journey can be daunting, but now you are not alone! This collection of true, beautiful accounts, including Larson’s, Fadok’s, and Paxton’s, takes an honest look at the process, the struggles, and the undeniable joy that comes with adoption. With insights from all three adoption triad viewpoints, Adopting Hope shares a wealth of lessons learned and tips for every person contemplating an adoption journey. How to have the courage to adopt How to decide on an open vs. a closed adoption How to handle a foreign adoption How to survive the agonizing wait to become parents How to tell your adopted child “the story” How to make your adopted child feel loved How to negotiate a relationship with your child’s birth parents How to help your child work through feelings of loneliness or rejection How to dispel negative attitudes you will encounter about adoption And so much more, including suggestions from birthparents and adoptees! From Lorri Antosz Benson, author of To Have and Not to Hold, this heartfelt compilation is ultimately a message of hope, love, and destiny as each family discovers the truth that a child doesn't need to be blood to be truly yours.

There are many children who needparents.This book will show you how to find the child who needs you--whether you are single, infertile or medically prohibited from having a child, or just looking for the boy or girl you've always wanted.Author Jorie Kincaid is an adopted child herself, and she and her husband, Ron, have adopted children both domestically and internationally. In this practical guidebook she provides all the information you need to decide whether adoption is for you and to begin working through the adoption process.You'll find out how adoption works both domestically and internationally, learn the differences between open and closed adoption, and explore the steps you can take to make adoption permanent. Kincaid offers advice on special adoption needs for older children and children from other countries, cultures and races. She also helps you wrestle with ethical questions like "When does adoption become 'buying a baby'?"If you are considering adoption or if you are already in the midst of adopting a child, here is an encouraging and helpful resource you'll turn to again and again. If you're curious about whether adoption is right for you, here is experienced counsel to help you make a wise decision.