Lois Ruskai Melina Knihy

This guide offers expert insights into the dynamics of open adoption, addressing the concerns of both adoptive and birth families at every stage of their relationship. It emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding, providing practical advice and reassurance for navigating the complexities of these unique family structures. The authors aim to foster healthy connections and support for all parties involved in the adoption process.

Drawing on the latest research in psychology, sociology, and medicine, this updated edition provides guidance for parents navigating the complexities of raising adopted children. It tackles contemporary issues like open adoption, international adoption, and transracial adoption. The author, an experienced adoptive parent and editor of a relevant newsletter, addresses common questions and concerns, offering practical advice for each stage of a child's development, making it an essential resource for adoptive families.

In this completely revised and updated edition of Raising Adopted Children, Lois Melina, editor of Adopted Child newsletter and the mother of two children by adoption, draws on the latest research in psychology, sociology, and medicine to guide parents through all stages of their child's development. Melina addresses the pressing adoption issues of today, such as open adoption, international adoption, and transracial adoption, and answers parents' most frequently asked questions, such as: How will my child "bond" or form attachments to me? When and how should I tell my child that he was adopted? What should schools be told about my child? Will adoption make adolescent upheavals more complicated? Up-to-date, sensitive, and clear, Raising Adopted Children is the definitive resource for all adoptive parents and concerned professionals.

Exploring themes of agency, connection, and the complexities of life, this collection of sixteen essays blends lyricism and narrative journalism. It delves into the challenges of understanding the unknown, enacting change, and finding a sense of home, particularly resonating with women navigating the later stages of life. Addressing issues like aging parents and personal vulnerabilities, the essays offer comfort and reflection on life's ambiguities, making them relatable to readers across generations.