Author Laura Christianson In The Spotlight

Q&A With an Adoption Expert

Yes!!! After much pestering and prodding, author and adoption expert Laura Christianson has finally agreed to be a guest here at Chrysalis.

Ahem.

Just kidding, Laura. Actually I'm truly honored to have you. Welcome.

Laura, since I haven't been through the experience of raising an adopted child, I'm completely new to this conversation. You've been an adoptive parent for some time now, so I'd like to ask you a few questions.

1. First, can you tell me a compelling story from your personal experience with adoption?

Today, I received the following e-mail from our 15-year-old son’s birth mother:

“In an odd sort of way, we do have a child together. As his ‘moms’, I think it would be nice to maintain a solid front. I want to be able to continue to encourage you and support you.”

My son’s birth mom is my biggest cheerleader as I journey through parenthood. Never, in my wildest dreams, could I have predicted this special friendship with her—a friendship I’ve cherished for the past 15 years.

2. Wow. So what influenced your decision to write about adoption?

About a year after we adopted our first child, I took a permanent leave of absence from my job teaching high school English and journalism. I’d always dreamed of being a journalist, and the absence of zillions of papers to grade freed me up to write. So naturally, I wrote about the topic that was closest to my heart: adopting our son. My essay about the wacky wonders of the adoption process was printed in a newspaper and I’ve been freelance writing ever since, intentionally building my reputation as an “expert” in adoption issues.

3. What's the most important piece of advice you would give to parents who are considering adopting a child?

Learn as much as you can about adoption, so that when the unforeseen happens (and it will happen), you’ll be slightly more prepared.

Read as many adoption books as possible, subscribe to magazines such as Adoptive Families and Adoption TODAY, peruse adoption blogs, subscribe to e-mail discussion groups specific to the type(s) of adoption you are considering, request information packets from all the adoption agencies and facilitators in your region, join support groups for adoptive families, and pummel other adoptive parents with questions.

4. How is international adoption different from local adoption?

Families who adopt domestically (through foster care) and internationally face many of the same risk factors: children whose birth parents abused alcohol or drugs, have mental illnesses, extreme poverty, or other crises that prevent them from parenting.

Fees for international adoption tend to be higher than for domestic adoption, and more travel is involved. The requirements for adopting are often more flexible; parents can be older, single, or have additional children at home (depending on the country from which you adopt).

Parents adopting domestically usually have some degree of contact with their child’s birth family, and their chances of adopting a healthy newborn are higher than with international adoption. Parents adopting domestically often have to “market” themselves to prospective birth families.

People thinking about adopting should carefully research and evaluate all their options, and then make the choice they feel is best for their family.

5. Can you address attachment theory and the associated problems?

I’m not a therapist; I’m a journalist, so I can’t address attachment from a clinical perspective. But I know it shouldn’t take years for an adopted child to attach to his/her parent(s). If a parent notices behaviors that seem out of the ordinary, I recommend documenting them in writing, and then consulting with a therapist who specializes in diagnosing and treating attachment issues. These sorts of issues can take years to work through, so parents need to be proactive about addressing them.

6. Since you live here in the Pacific Northwest (USA) can you recommend some resources available in the area?

Several of my favorites include:

A. The Center for Adoption Medicine

B. Adoptive Friends and Families of Greater Seattle

C. RESOLVE of Washington State

D. Families With Children from China, Northwest Chapter

E. Northwest iChild

F. Heartbeat Infertility & Adoption Ministries – University Presbyterian Church (contact Laura Christianson
for info)

7. Would you give me a "virtual tour" of your books?

• The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting addresses the questions, fears, and insecurities parents and their supporters have before, during, and after adopting. Written from a Christian worldview, the 256-page book is packed with real-life stories from over 40 families. (Harvest House Publishers, 2007; $13.99)

• The Adoption Network: Your Guide to Starting a Support System is a workbook that walks you step-by-step through the process of building a face-to-face support network for adoptive and foster parents, birth parents, or adoptees. It details how to plan and launch support groups, mentoring programs, workshops, a resource library, social events, orphan care ministry, and more. (WinePress Publishing, 2007; $9.99)

Both books are available from online bookstores, public libraries, and local chain and independent bookstores. Autographed copies can be purchased directly from me by visiting www.laurachristianson.com. Thanks for inviting me to visit your blog!

Thank you Laura for your expertise, and for sharing so much valuable information here today.

Related: Did You Know?

. . . that November is National Adoption Awareness Month?

. . . there's a new blog just for Seattle Moms? "Inspired by the buzz, the excitement, and the energy of the BlogHer conference, Kathryn, Eve, and Jenny (Daring Young Mom) decided that they wanted the same sense of community for Seattle. And so Seattle Mom Blogs was born." On Oct. 12th 2007, SMB will be hosting their first event. E-mail SMB at infoatseattlemomblogs.com for more information.

. . . these rockin' PNW Mommy Bloggers?

• Laura Christianson at Exploring Adoption


• Kristy at The Most Exciting Thing We've Ever Done


• Jennifer at Diary of 1


• Tammy at Family Doin's
  

Up Next—Global Missions Turned Upside Down

If you live in the Pacific Northwest (USA) wave at me in the comment box as you're passing by!

Photo Credits: phitar, unleashedlive (Flickr), Laura Christianson