Welcoming a new child into the home through adoption is a life-altering experience-for the child, the parents, and everyone else in the family. Expectations and realities often differ dramatically, and adjusting to the change can be difficult and emotionally painful. Since the majority of children available for adoption today are in the system as the result of abuse and neglect, parents must acknowledge the fact they these young innocents will carry their trauma with them into their new homes. A willingness to address the not-so-easy, didn't-see-that-coming aspects of adoption is the first step toward building a strong family.A valuable resource for parents and professionals, this book provides useful strategies for facing the challenges posed by adopted children. The inclusion of real stories from real people adds heart and encouragement, offering hope for the future of the entire family.
Preface. Chapter 1. The Impact of Trauma on Human Development. Chapter 2. The Adoption Checklist. Chapter 3. Preparing for Your Adopted Child's Arrival. Chapter 4. Trauma: A Potentially Transferrable Condition. Chapter 5. Life after Placement. Chapter 6. It's Not the Child's Fault, but.... Chapter 7. Adopting an Adolescent. Chapter 8. The Power of Optimism and Love. Chapter 9. The Struggles Are Worth It. Chapter 10. Adult Adoptees Reflect on Their Lives.
Deciding to adopt a child shouldn't be a quick, spur of the moment decision, according to Dr. Gregory C. Keck and L. Gianforte. In fact, adopting a child, especially one who has experienced early childhood trauma, should be done only after careful consideration and preparation. Keeping Your Adoptive Family Strong identifies the many ways prospective adoptive parents should prepare themselves for parenting a child from difficult early beginnings and the tough subjects that should be considered before a child ever enters the home.
The book identifies the changes that occur in a developing brain when trauma occurs whether from abuse, neglect, malnutrition or many other traumas. It also discusses ways to prepare of a child's arrival, how to navigate challenges after a child arrives and how to address the many ups and downs in between. The book also dedicates a chapter to adopting adolescents, an important consideration for many prospective adoptive parents to consider as the number of healthy infants available for adoption both domestically and internationally dwindles.
Reading Keeping Your Adoptive Family Strong is not for the faint of heart. Far from the rainbows and unicorns addressed in some adoption-related books, this book is a reality check much needed for prospective adoptive parents. Considering the tough parts of adoption before a child enters the home could save a family from a lot of heartache and a child from a dissolved adoption. The authors include personal stories of the struggles, heartaches and challenges some families have faced which highlights how better preparation, more resources and additional supports could have helped adoptive families work through the tough times more easily. Keeping Your Adoptive Family Strong also provides tips and tools for parents to use when they experience various behaviors. At the end, the book is filled with stories on how the power of love and perseverance also overcame many challenges for the children and families, as well as a chapter written completely by adoptees.
This book gives voice to so many players in the adoption community. Not only is Keeping Your Adoptive Family Strong a good read, it's also a great piece of work from the great therapist and founder of the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio Greg Keck, who died in 2015. It is hoped that the wisdom he shares in the book will continue to be passed on to adoptive families for generations to come so they learn from his decades of dedication of working with children and families touched by foster care and adoption.
