Paula Schonewald

Joys and Sorrows of Adoption Paula Schonewald

Joys and Sorrows of Adoption is an informative and motivational book that presents the challenges of raising children born to other people and analyzes the burdens adopted individuals need to overcome in order to adapt and thrive in society after separation from their birth mothers. It also suggests parental attitudes and approaches that facilitate the adoptee's integration into their families and society. The book uses anecdotes, vignettes, testimonials from adoptees and summaries of interviews. The author shares her family's experiences through 38 years of living as an adopting family group. The book does not include the process or legalities of adopting nor does it address adoptions within a foster system. It concentrates in three main themes: 1. Adopting and raising children separated from their birth mothers at birth or soon after birth. 2. Describes some of the differences between raising a biological child verses an adopted child. 3. Explains some of the challenges of adoption for mobile families. The book developed as a family project with the author, her spouse and their two sons all contributing their points of view and ideas to enrich it. They are all named as contributors. Note: Another version of this book is available with illustrations in black & white.