The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting [Paperback]

Laura Christianson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2007

In North America, more and more families are adding members through adoption. And there are more ways to adopt—and kinds of adoption—than ever.

This quick–start resource will help prospective parents consider key emotional and spiritual issues up front...before they plunge into the near–overwhelming mass of details and start to run into roadblocks, even dead ends.

Laura Christianson—an adoption educator and mentor, and an adoptive mom herself—brings her experience and knowledge to address unspoken but crucial questions about...

• loving an adopted child
• extended family’s reaction
• expenses
• openness in adoption
• the role of birth parents
• physical disabilities
• emotional/behavioral challenges
• racial and cultural prejudices

Recounting real–life miracles and mishaps of adoptive families, the author will help prospective parents—and their friends and family members—think through adoption’s challenges and joys, and confidently move forward from a firm emotional and spiritual footing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736920005
• ISBN-13: 978-0736920001
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura's career includes stints as a high school Journalism/English teacher, corporate communications director, freelance journalist, and award-winning blogger.

She's the author of three books and hundreds of articles, including a monthly "Relationship Marketing" column in the Snohomish County Business Journal (WA).

Laura owns Blogging Bistro (www.bloggingbistro.com), a company that helps people enhance their Internet presence through Web sites, blogs, Twitter, and Facebook.

Mentoring emerging writers and pre-adoptive parents energizes Laura, as does swimming, rollerblading, walking, photography, and camping with her family. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and their two sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deciding to Adopt from a Christian Perspective, June 16, 2008

By 

Donna L. Wheeler "Adoption Consultant" (Jacksonville Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting (Paperback)

While this book is a good resource for people considering adoption as the way to build their families, it has a decidedly Christian point of view. The author surrounds the adoption decision in biblical references which may put off non-Christians or those for whom Christianity is not their prime tool for decision making. There are Bible verses sprinkled throughout and many of the anecdotes have a strong Christian message. The author does have much good information, offers lots of excellent resources and offers good advice about how to prepare for the home study and how to select an adoption agency. As an adoptive parent myself, I particularly enjoyed her suggestions about how to deal with nosy strangers and less-than-tactful family and friends. She is also very realistic about what to expect as an adoptive parent and how adoption should not be a substitute for missionary work.

I would recommend this book to my Christian clients with little reservation. However, for another non-religious perspective, I would highly recommend "Is Adoption Right for You? by Christine Adamec which offers much of the same information with a more ecumenical approach.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A helpful resource in considering adoption, November 19, 2007

By 

Renee Riva (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting (Paperback)

I wish The Adoption Decision was available six years ago when we adopted our daughter from Russia. There was so much we didn't know, and would have loved a list of the 15 things we should have known! In reading over the list now, I realize how much better prepared we could have been. It is also a great help to know that the author has an adoption blogging network to go to as well. I remember trying to find someone (anyone) on-line to talk to about the things we struggled with, but nothing came up--there was no such thing a "blog" back then. I'm encouraged for those who are coming into the adoptive process at this time, knowing there is help to be found in both the "Adoption Decision" and Laura's "Adoption Network."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the heart and mind, August 8, 2007

By 

Sleepy Chalice (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting (Paperback)

I'd heard the book would have lots of facts and good advice, but I was impressed with the real world stories of real people who have adopted, or are planning on adopting. Laura writes from the heart. I felt like I was right there with the families. Have the Kleenex ready for the last few chapters. I was left with a feeling of hope and optimism as normal people went to extreme lengths to create their families. This book gives hope to anyone thinking about adoption, and gave me a new respect for the variety and creativity available to anyone interested in sharing their love with a child in need of it.