ABSTRACT

Adopted persons face challenges their entire lives as they struggle to answer the most basic question: Who am I? The hope of open adoption is that adopted children will develop stronger identities if they have the opportunity to develop healthy ongoing relationships with their families of origin. Making Room in Our Hearts offers an intimate look at how these relationships evolve over time, with real-life stories from families who have experienced open adoption first-hand. This book helps both adoptive and birth parents address their fears and concerns, while offering them the support to put the child’s psychological and spiritual needs at the center of adoption. Based on interviews with more than one hundred adopted children, birth and adoptive parents, extended families, professionals and experts, the book is an effective and invaluable resource for those considering open adoption, those experiencing it, and professionals in the field. Openness has altered the landscape of adoption, and Making Room in Our Hearts will help us catch up to the reality that is open adoption today.

chapter 1|8 pages

My Family's Story

chapter 5|18 pages

Becoming Extended Family

chapter 6|10 pages

Openness in the Public Adoption System

chapter 7|15 pages

Opening Closed Adoptions

chapter 8|14 pages

Unique Families—Unique Challenges

chapter 9|21 pages

Making it Work

chapter 10|17 pages

A Call for Change