Main description:

Adopted persons face challenges their entire lives as they struggle to answer the most basic question: Who am I? The hope of open adoption is that adopted children will develop stronger identities if they have the opportunity to develop healthy ongoing relationships with their families of origin. Making Room in Our Hearts offers an intimate look at how these relationships evolve over time, with real-life stories from families who have experienced open adoption first-hand. This book helps both adoptive and birth parents address their fears and concerns, while offering them the support to put the childs psychological and spiritual needs at the center of adoption. Based on interviews with more than one hundred adopted children, birth and adoptive parents, extended families, professionals and experts, the book is an effective and invaluable resource for those considering open adoption, those experiencing it, and professionals in the field. Openness has altered the landscape of adoption, and Making Room in Our Hearts will help us catch up to the reality that is open adoption today.

Contents:

Ito, Foreword. Introduction. My Family's Story. Into the Heart of Child-centered Open Adoption. Understanding Each Other's Fears and Concerns. This Baby Belongs to Itself and the More People Who Love It, The Better. Becoming Extended Family. Openness in the Public Adoption System. Opening Closed Adoptions. Unique Families - Unique Challenges. Making It Work. A Call For Change. Closing Thoughts. Resources. References