International adoption
is possible, even for the average couple of average means.
My book serves as a straightforward, useful guide to follow along every step of the journey to adoption day and beyond. Once you have read it you will be more equipped to tackle the overwhelming process that adoption is and approach it in manageable steps. This book will be invaluable to parents as they learn how to identify emotional and developmental issues exhibited by their adopted child. Parents and families will learn to recognize and be provided with strategies to aid in healing emotional wounds while fostering healthy attachments to the new family.
(1) After presenting readers with some issues to reflect on as they decide whether or not an international adoption is right for them and their family, I give step by step guidance through the entire adoption process. The paperwork is broken down into manageable tasks. There are common problems with notarizing and apostilling documents that I address as well as give advice on how to rectify those issues in a timely way. The reader will learn what to expect when they travel to Russia for the first time to meet their new baby, they will learn how to prepare for their court hearing. Prospective parents will learn some coping skills to practice while they are separated from their new child for weeks (sometimes months) while they await the next invitation to travel.
(2) I spend a lot of time throughout the book addressing parenting the adoptee. I discuss sensitive issues such as attachment disorder, exposure age versus chronological age, physical and mental health issues and other behaviors that are typical for an adopted child. I present in a very honest way how we recognized some problems that warranted attention as well as how to deal with those concerns. Parents will be enabled to normalize behaviors they are seeing and will learn techniques that will address their concerns.
(3) Every point that I make in my book is verified by my own experiences. At the end of each chapter, I spend time telling the reader what our experience was relative to the topic I am covering. I also provide a space for notes so that the adoptive parents have a place to jot their own items to remember or a question that may need clarification. This will also be the perfect spot for parents to journal how they are feeling or what that particular day was like for them which will ultimately serve as a wonderful gift for their adopted child someday.
There are plenty of books on international adoption out there all of which are written by adoption attorneys or by an adoptive parent. What I have not been able to find is my book. A Guide to Russian Adoption: Professional Counseling and Personal Insights is written by a professionally licensed counselor who has also traveled to Russia four times to adopt two children. I know how it feels. I know what it is like every step of the long road to adoption day. I also have a firm grasp on recognizing signs of emotional issues that surround adoption and can offer ways in which will help the entire family.