Showing titles in Adoption & Fostering

Author and Instagram star Heather Avis has made it her mission to introduce the world to the unique gifts and real-life challenges of those who have been pushed to the edges of society. Mama to three adopted kids - two with Down Syndrome - Heather encourages us all to take a breath, whisper a prayer, laugh a little, and make room for the wildflowers.

Adoption is often painted as a happy, inspirational act—a baby finds a family and lives happily ever after. But the truth is that adopted children experience displacement and rupture from their mother and that trauma can impact an individual for a lifetime. Adoption can lead to feelings of loss and grief not just for the adoptee, but for the biological and adoptive parents as well. This startling fact comes vividly to life in Janet Sherlund’s heartbreaking memoir, Abandoned at Birth.

Struggling to cope with three young children, Janie turns to experienced foster carer Cathy Glass. Helping the family each morning, Cathy soon uncovers how dangerous their situation has truly become. Riley and his two little siblings, Jayden and Lola, are not safe at home. With all three children in her care, will Cathy be able to rebuild their lives – and Janie’s?

The moving story of what one woman learned from fostering a newborn - about injustice, about making mistakes, about how to better love and protect people beyond our immediate kin.

Nearly every person in the United States is affected by adoption. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, the renewed debate over women's reproductive rights places an even greater emphasis on adoption. Wellington's timely–and deeply researched–account amplifies previously marginalized voices and exposes the social and racial biases embedded in the United States' adoption industry.

The megatalented creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away with Murder chronicles how saying yes for one year changed her life - and how it can change yours, too.

When Sandra Leigh was seven years old, she fell into the role of protector of her mother and three younger siblings. One winter night, she ushered her mother out of the house during one of her father’s tirades, and then snuck her back into the dark home through a window. Sandra was used to events like these; what she wasn’t used to were the mountains and nature surrounding her new home in West Virginia.

Named after the lager that christened her at birth, Stella's life is characterised instability and neglect. Her teenage mother abandons her in the first few weeks of her life, and left in the 'care' of her father, she ends up lying deserted in a house with no food, no water, no clothes and no warmth. She eventually lands in the care of foster carer Louise, who is determined to change her life for the better.

Louise gets a frantic call to take in a damaged and destructive young girl. Separated from her siblings, Sparkle is hostile and angry. A short while after settling in, Sparkle begins to identify as pansexual. A revolution is underway in the Allen household, with Sparkle's transition motivating all of the young people to explore what becoming an adult means for them.

Parents Angelina and Ben exist in enviable luxury: not just wealth, success and a gorgeous home, but a loving relationship and beautiful twin babies to complete the perfect family. But having it all means that you have the most to lose. And when cracks begin to appear things fall apart at a shocking pace; and it's twins Max and Mia who suffer the most. Money isn't enough to paper over the problems in this extraordinary and heartbreaking story. It is a foster-caring experience like no other, and one which tests Louise's emotional strength to the core.

In Caring for Kids from Hard Places, Jayne and David Schooler discuss the reasons behind why children and teens sometimes exhibit potentially disruptive behavior. Together, they offer practical strategies on training, equipping and resourcing staff and volunteers to provide a responsive environment for children with behavioral challenges.

Healing isn't possible, though, without first uncovering the hurts—starting with adoption's central players: adoptees, who are so often in pain, suffering from what the latest brain science validates as the long-term emotional effects of separation trauma. By encouraging others to vulnerably share their stories, the authors discover that adoptees aren't the only ones in the adoption constellation who are hurting. Birth parents regularly shut down after being shut out by adoptive parents.

Ashley is a young single mum raising her daughter, Eden, and working hard to do the very best job she can - until one night she can't find a babysitter and makes the decision to leave Eden home alone for a couple of hours, asleep inside a wardrobe. It is an action that begins a terrible downward spiral for both of them. When Eden arrives at experienced foster carer Louise Allen's home, she has entered the care system because her mother is in prison. Eden is five years old and will not speak to any human.

**Discover the Power of Cultural Identity in Adoptive Families** Unlock the rich tapestry of cultural identity with the gripping and insightful eBook, *Cultural Identity*. This comprehensive guide is designed for adoptive families navigating the dynamic intersection of adoption and culture, equipping them with the tools to foster a truly inclusive and supportive home environment. *Chapter Highlights* - **Introduction to Cultural Identity in Adoptive Families** Start your journey by exploring the fundamental concepts of cultural identity and its pivotal role in adoption. Learn why embracing ...

**Discover the Heart and Complexity of Adoption "Adoption Across Ages"** Are you seeking a comprehensive guide to navigate the multifaceted world of adoption? Look no further. "Adoption Across Ages" delves deep into the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of adopting and raising an adopted child at any stage of their life. From the tender moments of bonding with an infant to the challenging questions raised in adolescence, this definitive eBook offers accessible insights and practical strategies every step of the way. Beginning with early infancy, explore crucial topics such as ...

Living in Oklahoma with her maternal grandfather, Mary gets a new name and a new life. But she's haunted by the past: by the baby girls she's sure will come looking for her someday, by the mother she left behind, by the father who left her. Mary is a college student when her sisters start to get back in touch. With each subsequent reunion, her family becomes closer to whole again.

**Unlock the Doors to a Loving Home with "Understanding Adoption"** Are you considering the life-changing journey of foster care adoption? "Understanding Adoption" is your definitive guide to navigating this intricate, yet immensely rewarding process. This comprehensive eBook unfolds the complexities and joys of adopting from foster care, transforming what can often seem a daunting undertaking into an informed, step-by-step path to parenthood. **Begin Your Journey with Confidence** Start by demystifying the adoption process in the first chapter, "Introduction to Foster Care Adoption." Learn...

**Support Systems Your All-Inclusive Guide to Adoption Success** Are you embarking on the transformative journey of adoption? With so much information out there, the process can feel overwhelming. Enter *Support Systems*—the essential guide to navigating every stage of the adoption process and cultivating a network of unwavering support. Start your journey with Chapter 1 by understanding why strong support systems are crucial. From grasping the common challenges to recognizing the indispensable role of supportive networks, you'll gain invaluable insights that set the stage for a ...

**The Heart of Adoption Nurturing Emotional Connections and Building Strong Family Bonds** Discover the profound and transformative journey of adoption in "The Heart of Adoption," a comprehensive guide dedicated to understanding and navigating the emotional and relational dimensions of adoptive families. This invaluable resource dives deep into the complexities of adoption, offering insightful strategies and heartfelt advice for both adoptive parents and those considering adoption. Embark on a journey that begins with understanding the emotional landscape of adoption. Explore how emotional ...

A powerful decade-long study of adoption in the age of Roe, revealing the grief of the American mothers for whom the choice to parent was never real.