Adopting on Your Own

Herself an adoptive mother of two and a counselor who has helped thousands of clients through their adoption decisions, Varon candidly covers just about every issue of concern to single men and women who are considering adoption in this excellent guide. She starts at the beginning--with making the decision--and offers insights on a variety of crucial questions: How old is too old to parent? How much money do I need to adopt a child? Can I adopt if I had cancer five years ago? Are there right and wrong reasons for wanting to adopt? She then walks readers through the adoption process, from determining which child is right for you to different types of adoption, including international. She covers the ins and outs of choosing an agency and preparing for the home study--including whether or not potential adoptive parents should be open about their sexual orientation. Varon also discusses issues that commonly arise with adopted children and offers suggestions on how to handle them. There are exercises, suggestions for keeping an adoption journal and an extensive resource section that concludes the book. While Varon's primary focus is on adoption for singles, anyone considering adoption will find this an invaluable resource. (Sept.)