HELP! I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE
PROBLEMS OF ADOPTION
By James Taylor
DayOne. £2.50
ISBN 978 1 846 255 700
This little book is a gem! Written by an adopter who knows, this really ‘does what it says on the tin’ - explains the problems of adoption and offers succinct insights.
When my husband and I began to look into adoption, we found plenty of people who would offer their opinion – even when you are not asking for it! Many who have heard of disastrous breakdowns and disruptive children. This book is carefully balanced. It aims to be realistic and accomplishes that.
Suffering in the care system
Taylor suggests questions to ask before embarking on the assessment route. Questions not to scare you or put you off adopting, but to remind you that every child who is in the care system will have suffered trauma, loss and often more. These are children whose needs are much bigger than those of others growing up in a stable, loving family in your church. Even when they look very ‘normal’, they can be harbouring deep hurts which may not surface for many years, but which may well affect their ability to make good relationships or function well in society.
I urge you to read this even if you have never considered adoption. Christians should be praying for friends and family who have adopted. Teachers and church leaders will find it helpful to be reminded of some of the challenges which face not only the parents of adopted children but, in particular, those children themselves. There are excellent suggestions as to how you and your church can support families with adopted children.
I love the biblical perspective which pervades the book. We are reminded that, although we live in a fallen world and adopted children are part of the ‘fallout’, ‘we are looking at one who has been created in the image of God. This child has the potential to live for God, to serve others and to make this world a better place’. A helpful reminder that, by God’s grace, adopted children can do great things in his name, just like Moses, Samuel and Esther.
