The changes in adoption in recent years have encouraged both openness and honesty in adoption practices and have tried to focus more on meeting the complex emotional needs of the adoption triad the birthparent, the adoptive parent and the adoptee. When you decide to adopt a child, you need to ask yourself some difficult questions and prepare yourself for the special challenges of adoptive parenting. Then you are on to the next step of how to adopt and the search for your child. I'd like to thank Robin Hilborn for this chance to be guest editor of Adoption Helper. This edition is devoted to helping you understand how the various adoption processes work and what you must do to proceed with the one you feel is right for you.
Adoption is truly a miracle for all involved.
Jennifer Smart is an occupational therapist and mother of two adopted children. Active in the adoption field, in 1997 she received an Ontario Adoption Award for her work on behalf of adoption in Ontario. She is editor of Post-adoption Helper, devoted to supporting adoptive parents in meeting the challenges of raising their children. Back to the Adoption page. Back to the Family Helper home page.