Dear Birthmother (Paperback)

~ (Author), Phyllis Speedlin (Author) "Dear Birthmother, which was initially published in 1982, explores some of the myths in adoption and details the evolution of open adoption, from letter exchanges..." (more)
Key Phrases: May God, Concerned United Birthparents, San Antonio (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is the third revised edition of the open adoption classic recommended by the Child Welfare League of America. Gently provocative, warm and convincing, this open adoption guide includes actual letters between adoptive parents and birthparents, and between the latter and the children they have

About the Author

Kathleen Silber was born and reared in Stockton, California, graduated from the University of California at Davis and received her Master's degree in Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley. She is nationally known for her pioneering work in open adoption. Kathleen and her husband and two children live in California, where she is Associate Executive Director of the Independent Adoption Center in Pleasant Hill.

Phylis Speedlin, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, attended the Presbyterian School of Nursing in Pittsburgh and received her nursing degree from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. After four years as a U.S. Army nurse, she took a law degree and practices now in San Antonio. She has two daughters who entered her life through adoption.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Corona Publishing Co.; 3rd edition (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0931722209
• ISBN-13: 978-0931722202
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,591 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gain invaluable insight into the feelings of Birthmothers, February 6, 2000

By A Customer

I read this book when my eldest adopted daughter was three years old, and we had just adopted our youngest daughter. Reading this book opened my eyes to the REAL feelings of the birthmother. Especially revealing was the overwhelming response that birthmothers needed information and needed to know their birthchildren were happy and well. After reading this book, I wrote a letter to my eldest daughter's birthmother (passed through our attorney) She replied with a letter to give to our daughter at a later date, explaining, as only she could the circumstances regarding her decision. The letter has been invaluable in helping our daughter feel connected to and loved by her birthmother. Our eldest daughter in now 14, our youngest 11, and we continue to exchange letters through our attorney. Reading this book will help adoptive parents to help their children and honor their birthparents.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful in understanding open adoption, September 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Birthmother: Thank You for Our Baby (Paperback)

I am a considering adoption for my child and I found this book to be very interesting. I will be entering into a semi-open adoption and I found this book to be hopeful and inspiring for me, to know that these birth and adoptive parents have established such wonderful relationships through their correspondence. I would especially recommend this book to anyone entering into a semi-open adoption and also to anyone who is skeptical about the positive aspects of open adoption.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for anyone to read!, January 2, 2000

By	Meghan (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This book is not only for birthparents, adoptive parents or people considering either! This book is a touching, wonderful book for anyone to read! My husband and I are highly considering adoption and I found this book both informative and easing. I was not sure how I would feel about a birthmother, but this book has taken me to a new level of understanding! If you thought birthmothers/fathers had no feelings, etc., YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! The intense reality of birthparents and adoptive parents is so apparent in this book. It's a good book to sit down with your spouse and read together!