The Open Adoption Book: A Guide to Adoption without Tears [Paperback]

Bruce M. Rappaport (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0028621700 | ISBN-13: 978-0028621708 | Publication Date: January 12, 1998 | Edition: 1

Updated for a New Paperback Edition, the Definitive Guide to Open Adoption, by the founder of the Open Adoption Movement The exploding popularity of open adoption today underscores what adopting parents, birthparents, and many adoption experts now maintain: Open adoption is the healthiest, most humane, and fastest method available. It's better for the birthmother, because she (not lawyers or social workers) decides the future of her child. It's better for children, because they're raised without the shroud of secrecy and stigma that accompanies most closed adoptions. And it's better for adopting parents, because it dramatically shortens the time it takes to obtain a baby, from an average of seven years to under one year. As director of one of the country's leading open adoption agencies and founder of the first nationwide network of open adoption organizations, Bruce Rappaport has facilitated thousands of successful open adoptions and acquired an intimate understanding of the most common and heartfelt concerns of parents seeking to adopt a baby. Interweaving personal stories and real-life experiences of adopting parents, birthparents, and adopted children, he answers the questions clients most frequently ask:
* What is an open adoption? How does it differ from traditional adoption?
* Will I ever feel like a real parent if my child's biological mother knows I'm raising her child? Will she interfere?
* What if the birthmother changes her mind after the adoption?
* How long will it take to get a child?
Documenting answers with extensive personal experience and research, Dr. Rappaport paints a reassuring yet realistic picture of the open adoption process. The result is a highly informative, deeply moving book that will help many people realize the greatest joy life can offer.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In his detailed, step-by-step guide to open adoption, the founder of the Independent Adoption Center in California declares that one in five people of childbearing age face infertility problems and have little hope of adopting a healthy child within the confines of traditional procedures. In open adoption, the natural parents are actively involved in all phases of the process, and children are informed of their origins. Rappaport fully addresses the many questions and concerns raised by open adoption, telling the reader what is in store for the adoptive parents. An appendix of adoption organizations is included. This should be a first choice for anyone considering open adoption.
- Jan Wiedemann, Vernon, Tex.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Updated for a New Paperback Edition, the Definitive Guide to Open Adoption, by the founder of the Open Adoption Movement The exploding popularity of open adoption today underscores what adopting parents, birthparents, and many adoption experts now maintain: Open adoption is the healthiest, most humane, and fastest method available. It's better for the birthmother, because she (not lawyers or social workers) decides the future of her child. It's better for children, because they're raised without the shroud of secrecy and stigma that accompanies most closed adoptions. And it's better for adopting parents, because it dramatically shortens the time it takes to obtain a baby, from an average of seven years to under one year. As director of one of the country's leading open adoption agencies and founder of the first nationwide network of open adoption organizations, Bruce Rappaport has facilitated thousands of successful open adoptions and acquired an intimate understanding of the most common and heartfelt concerns of parents seeking to adopt a baby. Interweaving personal stories and real-life experiences of adopting parents, birthparents, and adopted children, he answers the questions clients most frequently ask:

• What is an open adoption? How does it differ from traditional adoption?
• Will I ever feel like a real parent if my child's biological mother knows I'm raising her child? Will she interfere?
• What if the birthmother changes her mind after the adoption?
• How long will it take to get a child?

Documenting answers with extensive personal experience and research, Dr. Rappaport paints a reassuring yet realistic picture of the open adoption process. The result is a highly informative, deeply moving book that will help many people realize the greatest joy life can offer.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 12, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028621700
• ISBN-13: 978-0028621708
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #891,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone considering Open Adoption!, December 20, 1999

By 

Meghan - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Open Adoption Book: A Guide to Adoption without Tears (Paperback)

My husband and I are in the very beginning stages of looking into adoption. We were not aware of "open" adoption, until I ran across this book. Both of us were leary, but the book explained open adoption in such detail that we were true believers. The Open Adoption Book not only explains open adoption, but all avenues of adoption to help you dicide on what is best for you and your family. It is written in languange that is understandable and easy to read. I think this book is a must read for anyone considering open adoption.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Intro to Open Adoption, December 21, 2010

By 

MBrace (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Open Adoption Book: A Guide to Adoption without Tears (Paperback)

Before reading this book I was unsure of all the pieces entailed in an open adoption. This book really helped me to see how there are really no set rules and the level of openness is determined by those involved. It was nice to have information from families who have experienced open adoption as well as some information from birth parents. It has provided my husband and I with a starting point in the conversation with the birth family.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good although biased review of open adoption, May 6, 2006

By 

F. Levi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Open Adoption Book: A Guide to Adoption without Tears (Paperback)

First, I'm not sure where the 'guide to adoption without tears' come from, but that being said this is still a good book for people who have doubts about open adoption, so they can find out the good advantages of it. That being said, I believe that the book is too biased sometimes and not very objective.

Still a very good read for people wanting to know more about open adoption.