Part 2 in a 5-part series

“It must have taken a significant effort on (my parents’) part to avoid thinking about and addressing something so radiantly obvious as the Blackness of two of their children in a family, town, and nation dominated by Whiteness.”

In Black Baby White Hands, Jaiya John looks back on his childhood as a black boy being raised by white adoptive parents.... more

Part 1 in a 5-part series

An adoptive mom e-mailed me, writing: “We focus more on our children’s Christian heritage than on their racial heritage. We don’t have contact with the black community, but we don’t think that is altogether necessary.”

That got me to wondering: Is it better for parents who adopt transracially to be ‘color-blind’, or should they be deliberate about acquainting their child with his or her ethnic heritage?

I came to the following conclusion:

Our ultimate... more

Book Review: So You want to adopt…Now What?: A Practical Guide for Navigating the Adoption Process

Sara Dormon is a clinical psychologist who counsels women who face unplanned pregnancies and are considering adoption. Ruth Graham is the mother of a woman who released a child for adoption when she was a teenager. So it makes sense that So You Want to Adopt…Now What? seeks to help adoptive... more

Part 4 of 4

Part 1: Book Review: Adoption as a Ministry, Adoption as a Blessing by Michelle Gardner Part 2: When Your Spouse is Reluctant to Adopt Part 3: What... more

Part 3 of 4

Part 1: Book Review: Adoption as a Ministry, Adoption as a Blessing by Michelle Gardner.

Part 2: When Your Spouse is Reluctant to Adopt

When Michelle and Steve Gardner decided to adopt older children with physical challenges, their friends and church family challenged them with several questions.... more

Part 2 of 4

In the previous post, I reviewed Adoption as a Ministry, Adoption as a Blessing by Michelle Gardner. In the next two posts, we’ll look more closely at some of the topics introduced in the book.

Michelle’s husband, Steve Gardner, chimes in on one chapter called “The Reluctant Father.”... more

Part 1 of 4

If you’re considering adopting an older child with physical challenges, you should read Adoption as a Ministry, Adoption as a Blessing, by Michelle Gardner. In 1994, Michelle and Steve Gardner thought they had the perfect family; they had two biological sons, ages 10 and 8, and a daughter, 5. The family lived in Taiwan, where Michelle and Steve taught in a school for missionary... more

Part 3 of 3

In the previous two posts, I reviewed the children’s book, My Special Someone and chatted with author Sherry Kyle. Today, Sherry offers tips for foster-adopt families:

Foster-adoption is not for the faint of heart. It’s hard. It’s emotionally draining.... more

Part 2 of 3

In the previous post, I reviewed Brittany and Sherry Kyle’s children’s book, My Special Someone. Today, you’ll learn more about Sherry Kyle, as she shares her story about adopting her daughter, Grace.

During an interview with Shari, she told me:

When I was 10, I saw a 1958 movie called The Inn of the Sixth Happiness with my mom and my sister.... more

My Special Someone: A Child’s Perspective of Adoption by Brittany and Sherry Kyle

Part 1 of 3

Have you ever thought about writing a book in honor of the child you hope to adopt? If so, My Special Someone is the perfect example for you to follow. This delightful little picture book was written and illustrated by 6-year-old Brittany Kyle (with help from mom, Sherry), to honor her adopted sister, Grace.

Brittany begins, “Once upon a time, I really wanted... more