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There ARE Babies to Adopt

"There Are Babies to Adopt"
by Christine A. Adamec

Pros	• Upbeat and positive •Extensive resources with contact information •No pathos
Cons	•Use of "birthmother" before birth and relinquishment

The Bottom Line - For those seeking to adopt a baby (newborn to two years), this book covers the elements of who, how, when, and how much with sometimes uncomfortable frankness, and offers ideas and new resources to help prospective parents stay focused and positive.

Product Description
•	Published by Citadel Press, Kensington Publishing
•	ISBN: 0806523344
•	Paperback, 308 pages (2002)

Note: I am quoted in the section of the book dealing with the Internet. This has not affected either my willingness to review the book, or the review itself.

At times, or even all the time, prospective adoptive parents may feel that their quest to adopt a baby is doomed. First efforts may produce no results, reports in the news media of (the very small percentage of) adoptions that end up in courtroom challenges can be frightening, and finding support and reliable information on and off the Internet can be confusing and frustrating.

In this revised and updated edition (originally published in 1996), the author addresses these topics and more, offering those seeking to adopt a baby (newborn to two years old) information, suggestions, and resources.

The main focus of the book is adopting domestically or internationally, through private agencies, attorneys, or by independent adoption. There is brief discussion about adopting a baby through the U.S. foster care system.

Within the scope of the book, the author tackles many of the issues adopting parents might encounter along the way - age, marital status, sexual orientation, other children in the family, negative comments, money, networking, the homestudy, and more; however, she manages to keep the tone of the book upbeat and forward-looking. She presents the pros and cons of topics that include open adoption, agency adoption, independent/private adoption, international adoption, and using the Internet, and the resources listing is extensive, comprising a full third of the book.

The strength of the book lies in the author's ability to encourage hopeful adoptive parents to remain positive and focused - on what needs to be done, what can be done, and the resources to help. Her message: Babies are being placed for adoption, and adopting a baby is possible.

Although it's widely used, I personally do not care for the use of the word "birthmother" for a woman who has not yet relinquished her parental rights, and I would have liked to see a mention of the Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project (an ongoing long-term study showing the benefits of open adoption) in the discussion on open adoption, but these certainly don't affect the book's value as a solid starting point for those who want up-to-date resources and guidance along the path to adopting a baby.

Ms. Adamec is the author of the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Adoption", "Adoption Option: Complete Handbook, 2000-2001," "Is Adoption For You?," and others.

© Nancy S Ashe

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