Today more than ever, single people are choosing to adopt children on their own rather than wait for a spouse or partner. And with more and more children available for adoption both domestically and from abroad, the adoption landscape has changed dramatically in the past decade. Celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell and Mia Farrow have become poster moms for raising children on their own, but what about the majority of prospective single adoptive parents without celebrity resources? Until now, there has been a woeful lack of tools designed specifically to help them in their decision to become adoptive parents.

Adopting On Your Own is a guide for decision-making. It addresses the questions and concerns of the growing number of prospective single parents. The book covers all stages of the adoption process, from deciding whether it's right for you, to orchestrating the adoption itself, to raising an adopted child as a single parent. It offers up-to-date information on the latest developments in adoption policy and the evolving attitudes of agencies and social workers toward single parent adoptions.

Adopting On Your Own is the first book that discusses, in detail, the decision-making process necessary for any single person considering adoption. Lee Varon, who holds a Ph.D. in social work and runs the Adoption Network, a counseling and consulting practice in Boston, has been working as a mental health counselor for over three decades and has counseled thousands of people through their adoption decisions. Herself the single parent of two adopted children, she knows firsthand the problems that single people face. She's designed her book to address the emotional and logistical issues which are pertinent to their decision, such as:

Examining your reasons for wanting to adopt.
How to talk to friends and family about your decision.
Researching various types of adoptions, including international and domestic.
How to find an adoption agency that will work with you.
What is the adoption home study and why is it important?

Dr. Varon also looks at some of the particular concerns of single people, whether they are heterosexual, gay or lesbian: Who are the children available for adoption? How do I decide what type of child I want to adopt? How old is too old to adopt? Can I adopt if I've had a serious illness? How much money do I need to make to adopt a child? There is also a chapter for those who decide not to adopt. Adoption is a wonderful option for many people, but adoption is not the right choice for everyone. Adopting On Your Own has served its purpose when someone reads it and decides not to adopt just as much as when they decide to pursue adoption. The last section of the book provides an exhaustive resource appendix, including helpful Internet sites, which every prospective parent should have before, and after, making their decision.

Adopting On Your Own is a supportive and informative resource described by Tapestry Books Adoption Book Catalogue as a must-read for single women and men looking to make the most informed decision about adopting a child.

Order a copy of Adopting On Your Own now!