The Story Of My Open Adoption

Two families, open to love—exploring and explaining adoption at birth Leap into a warm-hearted tale about a little squirrel who was adopted at birth! Join Sammy as Mom and Dad Rabbit bring him to meet his first family. With its whimsical illustrations and appealing rhymes, this storybook is perfect to read aloud to children age 3-5. Open adoption can be complex as well as joyful. Sammy’s story opens the door for kids to talk honestly about their experiences and feelings. Parents can also find a list of books and online resources offering research and helpful perspectives around adoption. In this loving adoption tale, you’ll find: Dear parents—A welcome letter explains key concepts, introducing the story’s scenario of adoption at birth and the meaning behind the term “first family.” A family picture—Full-page, full-color pictures bring the Rabbit and Squirrel families to life—and there’s space for your child to add a drawing of their family, too! Open conversation—Use Sammy’s tale as a jumping-off point to connect with your child and discuss how their adoption made you a family. Discover the story of two caring families with open hearts in The Story of My Adoption.

A workbook to be used by open adoption parents and their preschool and elementary school-aged adoptees.

Adopted persons face challenges their entire lives as they struggle to answer the most basic question: Who am I? The hope of open adoption is that adopted children will develop stronger identities if they have the opportunity to develop healthy ongoing relationships with their families of origin. Making Room in Our Hearts offers an intimate look at how these relationships evolve over time, with real-life stories from families who have experienced open adoption first-hand. This book helps both adoptive and birth parents address their fears and concerns, while offering them the support to put the child’s psychological and spiritual needs at the center of adoption. Based on interviews with more than one hundred adopted children, birth and adoptive parents, extended families, professionals and experts, the book is an effective and invaluable resource for those considering open adoption, those experiencing it, and professionals in the field. Openness has altered the landscape of adoption, and Making Room in Our Hearts will help us catch up to the reality that is open adoption today.

Two families, open to love—exploring and explaining adoption at birth Leap into a warm-hearted tale about a little squirrel who was adopted at birth! Join Sammy as Mom and Dad Rabbit bring him to meet his first family. With its whimsical illustrations and appealing rhymes, this storybook is perfect to read aloud to children age 3-5. Open adoption can be complex as well as joyful. Sammy's story opens the door for kids to talk honestly about their experiences and feelings. Parents can also find a list of books and online resources offering research and helpful perspectives around adoption. In this loving adoption tale, you'll find: Dear parents—A welcome letter explains key concepts, introducing the story's scenario of adoption at birth and the meaning behind the term "first family." A family picture—Full-page, full-color pictures bring the Rabbit and Squirrel families to life—and there's space for your child to add a drawing of their family, too! Open conversation—Use Sammy's tale as a jumping-off point to connect with your child and discuss how their adoption made you a family. Discover the story of two caring families with open hearts in The Story of My Adoption.

Being Adopted is a book for younger adoptees of any background. It simply outlines universal adoption experiences that are relatable to adoptees as they process and reflect on their unique circumstances and emotions. This book offers an opportunity for adoptees to feel validated and normalize their thoughts and feelings. Not only does Being Adopted serve as a support for younger adoptees but it also comes with a guide for caregivers to adopted children. Being Adopted serves as a tool for the adoptive family. Share your experiences and pictures by tagging #beingadoptedbook.

Megan is adopted, but she and her parents keep in touch with her birth mother, Kendra. Every year, Kendra decorates the tree she planted when Megan was born. Megan cherishes this Birthday Tree, for it ties her and Kendra together.

Adoption has changed dramatically over the past twenty years; biological parents no longer have to say goodbye to their child forever. Now nearly all adoption agencies promote open adoptions. Open adoption creates the opportunity for a special relationship between the biological parents, the adoptive parents, and the child. Emotionally, this is still largely uncharted territory. Open adoption requires a new approach by all involved, but it also generates invaluable rewards. The supporting relationships of open adoption provide for the better development of the child's psychological and spiritual well-being. Russell Elkins gives valuable insight for making successful open adoption.Open Adoption, Open Heart is the inspiring, true story of Russell and Jammie Elkins heartwarming journey. In this book, Russell offers stories, encouragement, and practical advice about the tensions and triumphs in open adoption. Their experiences take readers deep into the feelings and emotions of adoptive parents, sharing the joys, difficulties, and amazing victories that face adoptive couples. Both adoptive and biological parents need the valuable lessons that Open Adoption, Open Heart will provide.

The Story of You paints a beautiful picture of open adoption. This heart warming picture book was written by an adoptive mother in honor of her child's birth mother, the woman who made her greatest wish come true. Mommy loves you; yes, I do! But did you know she first loved you?As a mother holds her baby, she tells the story of how they were brought together in the most perfect way. The author seamlessly weaves together the two separate perspectives of both women to share the child's loving adoption story. The rhyming verses take you on the emotional and lifelong journey that is adoption. You're in my arms now but always in her heart. With pictures and phone calls, we'll never be apart. Mommy loves you; yes, I do.Her hopes for you I will carry through.It's never too soon to talk with a child about their adoption story and The Story of You is the perfect way to start!

The Glass Half-Full Adoption Memoirs series has won multiple awards, including North American Book Awards and Idaho Author Awards three consecutive years. Everybody knows what adoption is, but adoption has changed dramatically over recent decades. "Open adoptions" used to be unheard of, but have quickly become the norm over recent years. Open adoptions create an opportunity for biological parents to remain connected with the child even after the adoption takes place. Emotionally, this is still largely uncharted territory for everybody involved and relationships can be difficult to navigate. Although these connections can be stressful and challenging, they are also beautiful and inspiring. Whether you are simply someone interested in an amazing and touching story, or whether you are hoping to be educated on what it might be like to walk a mile in the shoes of an adoptive parent, Russell Elkins holds nothing back as he takes you along for the ride. Told from the point of view of an adoptive father, the journey Russell and his wife took is such a roller coaster ride you would think this true story was fiction. Book 1: Open Adoption, Open Heart Russell and Jammie have struggled with infertility issues for years before deciding that adoption is right way to build their family. They quickly find out that adoption is not as simple as filling out some paperwork and waiting for the right child to join them at home. Sometimes adoptions fall through. People change their mind. Hearts are often broken during the process. The actual adoption does not take place at the end of the book because it is by no means the end of the story-it's the midpoint of the journey as adoption relationships have only just begun. Book 2: Open Adoption, Open Arms Russell and Jammie thought their second adoption would be a bit easier since they had already gone through the process once before and knew better what to expect. They were wrong. A new situation and new relationships came with unique trials. This new situation stirred up emotions from Russell's past-from before he even met his wife, Jammie-making it possible for him to relate to the biological parents on a level he had never experienced before. Book 3: Open Adoption, Open MindRussell and Jammie's journey did not end with the details of the last page of book two. Not by a long shot. Some relationships blossom while others find hard times. Russell and Jammie even begin to develop a relationship with a birthfather who previously wanted nothing to do with them-a relationship that proves to be unpredictable and difficult. Most importantly, the journey takes new twists and turns as the children become old enough to think for themselves (and they do not process their story the same way as each other).

Meili, who is six years old and adopted from China, learns that her parents are going to adopt a baby from Haiti. She's not happy. Why do they need a new baby? Their family is just right as it is. As Meili learns more about her new sibling and the importance of being a big sister, will she realize that a new addition can be just right for their family too?

"After two years of waiting to adopt--slogging through paperwork and bouncing between hope and despair--a miracle finally happened for Vanessa McGrady. Her sweet baby, Grace, was a dream come true. Then Vanessa made a highly uncommon gesture: when Grace's biological parents became homeless, Vanessa invited them to stay. Without a blueprint for navigating the practical basics of an open adoption or any discussion of expectations or boundaries, the unusual living arrangement became a bottomless well of conflicting emotions and increasingly difficult decisions complicated by missed opportunities, regret, social chaos, and broken hearts"--

This modern take on the "where did you come from" adoption book celebrates open adoption. Through words and illustrations, the characters express the immense amount of love that everyone involved in the process has for the adoptee.

A searching, eloquent memoir about the joys and hardships of open adoption God and Jetfire is a mother's account of her decision to surrender her son in an open adoption and of their relationship over the twelve years that follow. Facing an unplanned pregnancy at twenty-two, Amy Seek and her ex-boyfriend begin an exhaustive search for a family to raise their child. They sift through hundreds of "Dear Birth Mother" letters, craft an extensive questionnaire, and interview numerous potential couples. Despite the immutability of the surrender, it does little to diminish Seek's newfound feelings of motherhood. Once an ambitious architecture student, she struggles to reconcile her sadness with the hope that she's done the best for her son, a struggle complicated by her continued, active presence in his life. For decades, closed adoptions were commonplace. Now, new laws are guaranteeing adoptees' access to birth records, and open adoption is on the rise. God and Jetfire is the rare memoir that explores the intricate dynamics and exceptional commitment of an open-adoption relationship from the perspective of a birth mother searching for her place within it. Written with literary poise and distinction, God and Jetfire is a story of a life divided between grief and gratitude, regret and joy. It is an elegy for a lost motherhood, a celebration of a family gained, and an apology to a beloved son.

In a kid-friendly, accessible way, this book explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family by showing one perspective on the adoption experience. We Belong Together is about sharing your home and sharing your heart to make a family that belongs together. With an understanding of how personal and unique each adoption is, and that not everyone comes to it in the same way, Todd Parr's colorful art explores the meaning of family.

Simple text and ample pictures describe what adoption is and how it works.

Author Elena S Hall, of Through Adopted Eyes and Through Adopted Hearts, addresses younger adoptees and their families in this children's book.May this provide yourself and your family with a guide to start conversations around the complexities of adoption.

"Mama," said Barley. "Tell me again how I'm your wish come true."Thus begins this beautiful story for adoptive families. I Wished for You: An Adoption Story follows a conversation between a little bear named Barley and his Mama as they curl up in their favorite cuddle spot and talk about how they became a family. Barley asks Mama the kinds of questions many adopted children have, and Mama lovingly answers them all. With endearing prose and charming watercolor illustrations, I Wished for You is a cozy read that affirms how love is what truly makes a family.

This book opens the door for anyone to start a conversation about adoption, told through the eyes of a kid who has been adopted as well as a grownup who's adopted a kid. It breaks down some of the complexities of adoption and dives into what makes each story so unique and special.