Launching a Baby's Adoption: Practical Strategies for Parents and Professionals [Hardcover]

Patricia Irwin Johnston (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Adoption usually involves several different parties: the child, the birthparents, the adoptive parents, and the agency, social worker, or lawyer. Each has a unique perspective on the process. In Pregnant? Adoption Is an Option, Lindsay?a former teen parent, educator, and author?focuses on today's adoption process (closed adoptions are no longer the rule) and the rights of birthparents. Here, 39 birthparents share their experiences and the emotional implications of their decisions. The topics discussed include the role of the birthfather, the child's extended family, the importance of counseling, selection of the adoptive parents, birth, grieving, and planning ahead. Lindsay provides the informational tools necessary to develop an "adoption plan," which gives the birthparents a sense of control. This book provides the basic education and empowerment essential for birthparents to make the right decision for their baby. Johnston, an infertility and adoption educator as well as author, wants to educate adoptive parents and professionals about "child-centered" adoptions. With the emergence of "open adoption," she tries to quiet the fears of perspective adoptive parents by emphasizing the benefits of honesty and openness. Practical suggestions for welcoming an adoptive baby include discussion of the impact of past infertility, society's and the family's reaction to adoption, naming the baby, bonding, attachment, and birthparent relationships. Information on the baby's past experiences and conditions as well as future expectations are intended to ease a sometimes difficult transition. The well-being of the child being of primary importance, Johnston encourages the involvement of all parties to provide for a smooth transition and healthy upbringing. Both books are excellent primers for birthparents and perspective adoptive parents. Highly recommended for public libraries.?Lisa A. Errico-Cox, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Launching A Baby's Adoption incorporates anecdotal material solicited from adoptive parents and professionals throughout North America. Launching a Baby's Adoption fills the need of single and coupled parents seeking to adopt for information that can assist them in practical ways to bring a baby into their families and into their lives. Launching A Baby's Adoption is a valuable addition to the parenting collections of community libraries and is "must" reading for anyone seeking adoption as a means to enhancing their family life. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Perspectives Pr (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944934161
• ISBN-13: 978-0944934166
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,824,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patricia Irwin Johnston, MS, is an infertility and adoption educator and advocate with over 30 years of experience as both a volunteer (with local and national advocacy groups in the field) and as professional (publisher at Perspectives Press, Inc.) in the field of challenged family building. She is the author of several award-winning books (the most recent, Adopting: Sound Choices, Strong Families won the 2009 IPBA Benjamin Franklin Award as best self-help book and a 2010 Mom's Choices Award) and has herself been given several awards, including being named a 2007 Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. A member of an extended family directly touched through five generations by adoptions, Pat and her husband live in Indianapolis.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Starting Point, June 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Launching a Baby's Adoption: Practical Strategies for Parents and Professionals (Hardcover)

This book was recommended by our adoption counselor. I found its advise to prospective adoptive parents practical. The anecdotal portions of the text brought to life the child-centered issues that adoptions should deal with. They made me cry and smile. I am recommending that our families read it in a hope to better educate them on what a positive journey adoption can be.