Raising Adopted Children review

I have made it through the first four chapters of Raising Adopted Children by Lois Ruskai Melina. It has a lot of good information and ideas. I have told Kevin he will need to read this book, so I am marking the good stuff so he will be able to finish it before our daughter arrives. (Ha, Ha)

Chapter One - Transition to Adoptive Parenthood
*It suggested looking into birth preparation classes at local hospital to learn the skills necessary for caring for a baby.
*Look for adoption announcements suitable for adoptive families.
*Keep a journal. (My mother-in-law has already got me a journal. Thank you)
*Suggestions for naming and renaming your child. I may want to do more research in this area.

Chapter Two - Adjustment of the Family
*Suggested making an adoptee's family book which includes pictures of extended family to show her this is her family and all these people love you. This will give me the opportunity to work on my creative abilities or show my lack of.

Chapter Four - Talking about Adoption
*Gives guidance on talking to family members, teachers, and other children.
*Gives guidance on discussions of adoption with child, tone, environment, and appropriateness/understanding of information at different ages.
*Suggests creating a book to tell the story of why the child was wanted, why the child needed a family, and the process we went through to adopt the child, and our first meeting. It should be designed so that a preschooler could understand.

I will update you as I continue to read through this book.