Customer Reviews

The Pumpkin Patch: A Single Woman's International Adoption Journey

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a single woman trying to decide whether I want to bring children into my life through adoption and I have read several books about adoption, but this is by far the best of the lot.

The author is amazingly candid and honest about her emotions and her experiences. I literally could not put the book down and read it all in one day. Her trip to Ukraine and the reality of dealing with two children at home really makes this a unique book.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is contemplating adoption. It is an incredible true-life story that anyone would enjoy and I now feel very comfortable with my deicision about having children.

The Pumpkin Patch is an insightful "how to" tool highlighting the financial and emotional hidden costs and practices of Ukrainian adoption as well as a touching and facinating true story of one single woman's journey to "instant" motherhood. This is a "must read" for anyone either contemplating adoption in the region or simply interested in sharing a modern woman's quest to find a family in order to fill an emptiness inside her that hard work, success, travel and other personal realtionships could not.

I am in the process of adopting a little girl from Guatemala and a friend recommended this book to me. It was wonderful to read about the author's experiences and to know that she had the same fears and anxieties that I have about bringing a child into my life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone considering an international adoption as well as to any single women considering adoption.

Anyone who needs a booster shot to stay motivated needs to read this book! Although I am not pursuing adoption, I was amazed at Ms. Schwartz's determination and overwhelming compassion to adopt these two boys, despite every obstacle a proud and obstinate system could hurl at her. The struggles against stereotypes of all kinds were something any single woman could empathize with. Ms. Schwartz takes us through the entire gamut of emotions too - the initial romance of the idea to the reality of two sons in her home who don't speak her language. A must-read for anyone considering overseas adoption!

The author vividly recounts her journey to adopt two young boys from Ukraine. The book is very informative for others hoping to adopt from that country; however, even more valuable is the way in which Ms. Schwartz speaks to the joys and fears of anyone considering parenthood for the first time. You'll enjoy reading it the first time through, and then keep it nearby for inspiration as you progress on your own journey.

The Pumpkin Patch: A Single Woman's International Adoption Journey by Margaret L. Schwartz (a marketing consultant and single mother of two adopted children) offers the reader insight into one woman's personal journey from successful businesswoman to a single mother of two children. Her journey navigating through the Ukraine and its adoption bureaucracy for 18 months reveals as much to her, and to us, about both herself and the complex process that allowed her to adopt two very young, abandoned children. Presented in a journal format with dated entries, The Pumpkin Patch is a sparkling and highly readable insight and highly recommended supplemental reading for anyone seriously considering international adoption.

As a single professional woman, just starting the international adoption process, I found Margarets words, wisdom and story inspirational and comforting. She and I are a lot alike, and she gives me strength to continue down the path I am choosing. A great read for anyone contemplating and in the process. I'd love to see updated pix of the family...

This is an excellent review of ups and downs of single parent adoption. While some of the challenges are unique to the Ukraine and independent adoption, the majority of this gripping book are the author's struggles with the low points of parenting two toddlers under the age of three but also the many highlights such as the first time they say "I love you." Great book and very inspiring.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a new mom of twin boys, and was curious about what was involved in the adoption process. Even though I did not adopt my children, I could really relate to the author's feelings and experiences in preparing to become a mother and how your life changes once you have kids. I think any new mom would really enjoy this book, it's nice to know that you are not alone in the emotions you experience. Not only did I learn a great deal about the adoption process- which I think is important to understand as so many people adopt in the US, but it allowed really reflect on my feelings about being a mom. The author is insightful, and extremely honest.

I appreciated Schwartz's honesty in this book. Schwartz is very open about choosing children from pictures, refusing a child because of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome), and navagating the adoption process in a bureaucratically corrupt country. I think it makes its readers think twice about not using an agency when adopting outside of the US. Schwartz is a brave woman to bring two toddlers home, considering she is single and a new mom. What a handful!

This book was a wonderful story, but not helpful with my Chinese adoption.