Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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."

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.

This book is an easy read and a great place to start in your consideration of adoption, both international and domestic. The author gives an inside view to the adoption process, what is involved, issues that may be faced, and personal experiences that makes this book read more like a story than a "how-to" book.

Some of the topics covered are misconceptions about adoption, adoption following infertility, transracial issues, open adoption, and the emotional challenges of the whole process. For anyone finding themselves poring over the internet in search of adoption information, this book is for you! There are so many good things to think about as you deliberate whether or not adoption is for your family. To conclude the book, there is a list of resources to help you continue your journey.

[...]

My husband and I were looking for a book to help us decide if we are ready to start the adoption process. This book brings up many of the heart issues that should be discussed and thought about as a family. We appreciated the Godly perspective on adoption and would recommend it as a good starting point to any Christians thinking about adoption.

Although not an adoptive parent, I learned a number of ways to support (emotionally and otherwise) my adoptive friends and family members by reading this book. Christianson does a fabulous job at portraying the "real life stuff" of adoption. She offers suggestions to folks like me with both grace and candor. This book is nicely indexed at the end for easy referencing, and the author's expertise and excellent writing skills are evident throughout. I consider this a must read for anyone touched by adoption.

If you are considering adoption, in the process or even if you are already an adoptive parent, then this is a book that you should defintely read. Laura writes about real people, issues and feelings in this book. This book does a great job in addressing issues such as telling people about your decision to adopt, meeting with birthparents, paperwork,infertility, dealing with inappropriate questions, to name a few. I would have loved to have had this book as a resource when we began our adoption process.

I especially appreciated Laura Christianson's easy-to-read prose and the gracious way in which she shares folks' stories. This would be a great choice for any family considering adoption and for their friends and family that choose to walk along with them. I wish it had been available when we were setting out.

I absolutely loved this book. I like the fact that it is written from a Christian perspective. It talks about the frustrations, the hurdles, and the joys you will face when going through the Adoption Process.

I appreciated the candor & honesty of the author who has adopted. She's been there, done that and comes across in a very loving manner to encourage you.

I will definitely be re-reading this book. My husband also enjoyed reading this book.

If you are looking for a quick guide to adoption from a Christian perspective, this one gives you lots to think about. That is what I was looking for so it definitely hit the mark!