A MUST READ in Older Child Adoption!,  January 5, 2012 
 
By
Dawn
Pittman
 This book is a MUST READ for anyone
  considering older child adoption, those who are in the process, and those who
  have already brought their children home. As a mother of 6, two of whom were
  adopted internationally at ages 16 and 7, I found this book to be full of
wisdom  and encouragement.

What makes this book different from the more
  "clinical" adoption books is that it is written by a mother who is still in the
  trenches. The real life examples make it easy to relate the book to what is
  happening in your home. Jodi's honesty about those things she wished she had
  done differently leaves room for me to feel like I am not the only adoptive mom
  who isn't perfect! I find that very encouraging.

Even though our oldest
  son came home over two years ago and our newest addition has been home 7
months,  this book is still very applicable. I found a lot of information to
help me  better understand my adopted teen, in particular.

We are so excited that the book is blessing many people.  We did NOT write this book for money, but in the hope that many, many people will be inspired to adopt older children because we shared our story.  Here are a few comments from readers:

Hi Jodi,
I just got done reading your book- it was very helpful and inspirational. You had insight that I haven't found in other books and the Ugandan culture information will be so helpful. Going into adoption is a scary process and we never know what will happen. You kept that fact real and also shown what a gift these children have been, making all the struggles worth it! I loved Agnes' point of view, she wrote very well and was so honest. I can't wait to see how God will continue to use her!
Mary

FACEBOOK POST:  "This is what I'm thankful for today: I opened my front door early this
morning to find UPS had delivered the book my co-worker wrote on older child
adoption. No-I'm not planning to adopt but love books and want her to autograph it. Never planning to read it, I opened it to see the dedication page. Then I thought I'd just glance at the introduction. Well 1 hour, 143 pages and half a  box of tissues later - this book was 'church' for me today. The Tucker family is  such a blessing!!!!!"
Jennifer

"My child wants to call her family in Haiti.  How should I handle that?"

Many parents of adopted children wonder about birth family contact.  I have experienced adoption from just about every angle over my lifetime.  And my feelings about birth family contact have evolved. 

Now don't get me wrong.  I am all for embracing your child's past and his family.  However, I have seen several times that contacting birth-family relatives can become a burden for the older adoptive child.  It not only re-engages them in their loss, but it results in feelings of guilt because of the disparity between the child’s new lifestyle and that of their birth-relatives. 

So pay close attention to your child’s emotions around birth-family contact.  If it is a positive experience, that’s great – embrace it.   But if it is a negative experience for your child, you may want to protect him from it, at least until he is older.  Most importantly, be confident and trust yourself to make decisions based on his reactions.  Don’t let guilt or overcompensation force you or your child to do things that make him unhappy.  Your job as the parent is to protect your child and give him a joyful life of love.
buckle up,
Jodi