As we continue our look at Lifegivers: Framing the Birthparent Experience in Open Adoption, chapter four really should be of interest to many different kinds of readers. Supporters and critics of openness will be intrigued by the title, "Justifying Distance in Modern Terms: Birthparents as Dysfunctional Persons." We all know that society wants... more

As we look at Chapter Three of Lifegivers: Framing the Birthparent Experience in Open Adoption, the title of the chapter captures the interest of those who have been pegged or want to peg birth parents as the evil-doers in the adoption world. "Pathways to Irrelevance: Birthparents as Sinners, Saints and Suppliers" really jumps off the page at... more

We're continuing our look at Lifegivers: Framing the Birthparent Experience in Open Adoption. Chapter two is entitled: "What Kind of Woman...?" Taboo Breaking and the Pursuit of Worthiness. Sounds like a heavy chapter to me. Taboo breaking is no easy task!

The chapter starts out reiterating the question all birth mothers have... more

Today I am beginning a chapter by chapter review of the book Lifegivers: Framing the Birthparent Experience in Open Adoption. Chapter One is (amusingly?) entitled: Why the Public Dislikes Birthparents (And Why They Are Wrong). (No, seriously, that's the entire title. I didn't add the little sidebar at the end, promise!) The chapter, as you might... more

Starting on Monday morning, I will be doing a chapter by chapter review of the book Lifegivers: Framing the Birthparent Experience in Open Adoption by James L. Gritter. I figured it was a good idea, before launching into a task, to give readers a background on Gritter, a basis of understanding what the book is about and a look at the... more

I love Shel Silverstein. I remember sitting on the floor of the library in elementary school, reading through A Light In The Attic and feeling this overwhelming sense of joy and awe. The love affair I have with his various works has continued over the years. In fact, as soon as we found out that we were pregnant with our son, I purchased a few of my favorites for his bookshelf. Whether... more

I first read Girls in Trouble by Caroline Leavitt in the first six months after Munchkin's placement. It was as if it was written for me, published just a month after her birth. Having just reread the book I know now that my first read through was too soon after placement to handle. The book affected me emotionally at the time,... more

At our local library book sale, I recently picked up a copy of Michael Reagan's book called, "Twice Adopted." Michael Reagan, from all accounts, did not have a charmed life as some might have expected. Instead, he had an extremely sad childhood.

Despite the wealth of his parents, he did not have an ideal childhood. Both parents were ultra focused on their careers, and that allowed scarce time for their children. His parents divorced when he was three, and growing up he spent most of his school years in boarding schools.

In his book, he... more

Granted, I haven't read the book just yet though I'm ordering it as I type. Making Room in Our Hearts: Keeping Family Ties through Open Adoption by Micky Duxbury sounds like something that should be handed out to all parties agreeing to any level of openness. I have seen the book before during my searches on the topic of open adoption but a recent... more

After being previously disappointed by a "best selling" novel, I decided to try a different genre on for size. While still falling under the fiction heading, I headed for the romance books. You know the kind: small paperbacks that feature damsels in distress. However, the innuendo in this particular book was low as I chose an "inspirational" romance which basically means that religion and God are talked about more than sexual acts. It's... more