From Adoptive Families magazine, the country’s leading resource on adoption, this warm, authoritative book is full of practical, realistic advice from leading attorneys, doctors, social workers, and psychologists, as well as honest, intimate stories from real parents and children. You Can Adopt answers every question–even the ones you’re afraid to ask: • When should I shift from fertility treatment to adoption? • How do I talk to my spouse about adoption? • Can we find a healthy baby? • Do I need an attorney? An adoption agency? • Can the birth mother take the baby back? • How much will this really cost? How long will it take? • Aren’t all adopted children unhappy? • Can I love a child who “isn’t mine”? • How can I ease the rest of my family into this decision? Complete with checklists and worksheets, You Can Adopt will help make your dreams of family come true.

ABOUT THE BOOK People choose to adopt a child for many different reasons. Whether you are unable to have biological children, or you want to add to the family that you already have, adoption can be an extremely rewarding experience. There are many factors to consider when you are deciding whether adoption is right for you. It is important to first examine your financial resources, your career path and your personal relationships before you choose to adopt a child. Adopting a child is one of the most generous things that you can do, but it is a process that also comes with many challenges and frustrations. If youve assessed your situation and decided to pursue an adoption, there are several different paths that you can take. You can use a qualified adoption agency in the United States to adopt a child. You may also want to consider options such as foster care adoptions, or conducting an independent adoption with the help of an attorney. International adoptions also provide a range of possibilities for prospective adoptive parents. It is vital that before you begin your journey with adoption, you understand the risks and benefits associated with the different types of adoptions before you decide the path that is best for your family. Adopting a child can be a long and expensive process that can also have serious emotional and psychological implications. Above all else, adopting a child is about giving love and opportunity to a child in need. Be sure to talk to all of the members of your family before deciding on adoption in order to understand any fears or concerns they may have about the process. The process of adopting a child can be frustrating, so it is important to learn as much as possible before you embark on this journey. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK According to AdoptiveFamilies.com, "Things are different now in the child welfare system - and that's good news for both kids and parents. 'It used to be that you had to be a foster parent first in order to adopt, but that's changed, ' says Rita Soronen, executive director for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. 'People can now state upfront that they want to be considered for adoption only." That makes for a quicker process, with fewer broken hearts along the way.'" The main goal of the Foster Care system is to return children to their biological parents whenever possible. However, approximately thirty percent of the children in Foster Care are not able to return to their homes, and these children need to be adopted. Currently, of the 425,000 children in foster care in the United States, about 115,000 of them are eligible for adoption... Buy a copy to keep reading! CHAPTER OUTLINE Modern Lifestyles: What to Expect When Adopting + Introduction + Types of Adoptions + Common Mistakes to Avoid + Tips and Tricks + ...and much more

Essential reading for those currently adopting a child, thinking about adopting a child, or simply interested in the subjects of adoption and parenting older children, this concise handbook provides a unique perspective on the difficult and wonderful adventure of parenting older children. Based on both her professional experiences and her experience as an adoptive parent, Melanie Tem’s This Child Is Mine: What It Means to Adopt a Child introduces readers to “claiming,” the important process by which a parent says, once and for all, "This is my child." Illustrated with fictional vignettes inspired by her experiences with hundreds of parents and children, she illuminates the key issues that come up with children and their adoptive parents. The late Melanie Tem was not only an award-winning writer of fiction but a social worker in adoption for decades. Her paper “The Leap of Faith” has been used around the country for training prospective adoptive parents and professionals in the field.

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.