An essential resource for anyone considering adoption. Millions consider adoption each year, but the decision to adopt poses a host of complex questions for potential parents, particularly if spouses disagree. Are you sure you are ready to adopt? What are the issues concerning adopting a child of a different race? How is adoptive parenting unique? What are the implications of adopting an older child or a child with a disability? Christine Adamec, an adoptive mother and adoption expert, answers all of these questions and more, helping parents determine whether or not to adopt. CHRISTINE ADAMEC (Palm Bay, Florida) publishes Adoption/Medical News and writes a column for National Adoption Reports. She is also the author of The Encyclopedia of Adoption and How to Live With a Mentally Ill Person (available from Wiley).

Table of Contents

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS ABOUT ADOPTION. Adoption Realities vs. Myths, Fears, and Common Emotions. Basic Facts About Adoption. LOOKING INWARD-- QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF. Taking a Look at Yourself as a Possible Parent. Bonding, Attachment, and Entitlement. Talking with Your Spouse About Adoption. Infertility Issues in Adoption. How Important is Biology? Single Adoptive Parents. LOOKING OUTWARD-- QUESTIONS TO ASK OTHERS. Talking to Family and Friends about Adoption. Will Counseling Help with Your Decision? Gathering Information. ADOPTION ISSUES AND INFORMATION. Adopting From the United States. Resource, Myths and Realities of International Adoption. Adopting Transracially from the United States and from Overseas. Adopting Children with "Special Needs." Open Adoption. Comments from People Who Considered Adoption. Basic Pointers for Those Who Decide to Adopt. Conclusion. Appendices. Bibliography. Index. About the Author.

About the Author

CHRISTINE ADAMEC is the publisher of Adoption/Medical News and the author of several books about adoption, including The Encyclopedia of Adoption and There Are Babies to Adopt. She writes a monthly column for National Adoption Reports, published by the National Council for Adoption. An adoptive mother, Ms. Adamec founded an adoptive parent support group, Parents Adopting Children Everywhere, and served on the statewide Florida Advisory Council on Adoption.