Customer Reviews

Adopting the Older Child

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are considering an adoption, but a new baby may not be the choice for you or your spouse, Read this book. Claudia will take you through the process of a state adoption of an older child. Four case studies of very different types of adoptions are present in the book. I learned so much and now I am more eager than before to start on my journey to be a parent. This book highlights the different problems that may arise from the adoption of an older child especially of one that has been in the state foster care system. A definite recommend anyone interested in adoption or even childhood behavior problems.

I read this book as preparation for adopting two children, ages 10 & 12, who had been in an orphan's home in China since 1992. The book helped me to recognize processes going on in the children's minds and to avoid false expectations on my own part. I recommend reading this book as preparation to adopting older children and re-reading it as the children come into your home.

I devoured this book in 2 days - we are considering older child adoption, and this was a good introduction. It is a bit outdated, which is rather distracting at times, but it mentions a great variety of behavioral problems and some solutions. Written as four gripping stories, the technical information is easy to understand.

If you are considering adoption, especially of an older child, THIS IS A MUST HAVE BOOK!! I adopted an 8 year old special needs boy in 1992, and this book was my bible. It was like a road map of what to expect. Nothing my son did ever caught me by surprise. So instead of worrying what I was doing wrong, I was able to focus on his needs. This book gave me the foundation on which to stand. Today, my son is a healthy, well-respected young man; I thank Ms. Jewett for her excellent book. She helped make it happen.

We adopted two older siblings, a ten year old girl and her five year old brother. This book enlightened us to exactly the issues of an older placement. I highly recommend this book to prepare anyone considering adopting an older child.

Seriously - this book was written in 1978 & while I'm sure that it was a progressive resource at the time, it is unbelievably outdated. The book assumes that the only people looking to adopt a child are heterosexual, married couples (true enough 30 years ago) & devotes a lot of time to discussing how to manage adoption expectations and issues with your spouse. I can't say that it doesn't still have useful insights, but as a single woman looking to adopt, I found it extremely frustrating. For an up-to-date incredibly useful resource, I recommend Attaching in Adoption by Deborah Gray.

As we move forward in the adoption process of a 17 yr. old, I am thrilled to have just read this book. It was an easy read, full of insight, with just the right balance of warmth and challenge. Best of all, as both a professional counselor and adoptive mother (seven times over!) the author is truly credible, including a nice mix of research and personal experience. I give this book my highest recommendation.

I'm about half way through the adoption process and am currently about half way through this book. Although it is over 20 years old, the information is GREAT. It has aided me in some more questions to ask my social worker that I would not have thought about before - and should have. I HIGHLY recommend this book for any one considering adoption of a child older than five. It's right on the money as far as the process you need to go through, and questions you should ask.

This book was written in 1979 so I expected it to be old school using old ideas relating to child rearing. However you would never know it was written 30 years ago! Its fantastic and often spot on!! I foster teenagers and so many traights came to light in this book, also the fact that parents struggle and have their 'down' times of feeling a failure as a parent is reassuring!! I'd recommend it to anyone!!

I loved this book. It is interesting, readable and gives you tremendous insight into the challenges you will face without terrifying you in the process or making you feel incompetent to deal with them. I gained a lot of insight from the author's wisdom.