For the Love of a Child: The Journey of Adoption

by Monica L. Blume

The Journey of adoption is never easy, but it is one of love and growth that can be powerfully redemptive. Adoption transforms the pain felt by all involved as they experience the ways God works in the lives of many people through one precious child.

Genres: Adoption, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Laura Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This entire book only references one (incredibly specific) adoption situation. It is about unmarried LDS women placing their babies with infertile LDS families through LDS Family Services, so that the child will have the blessings of a temple sealing and the couple will have the blessings of parenthood. Now that LDS Family Services does not facilitate adoptions, the majority of the book is outdated. It may still be a helpful resource for pregnant unmarried LDS women and their friends, family, and ecclesiastical leaders, but be aware that the book has a strong stance against single parenthood and portrays adoption as the “right choice” in every case.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

As many of you know we are in the process of adoption. When we moved to Springville I was put into the Cub Scout program with the author (no coincidence to me :) Through Monica's experience as a social worker to the pregnant teenagers, she takes you on their journey's and the adoptive parents journey's.
My favorite part of this book, was reading the accoplishments the birth parents went on to have after they had put their baby for adoption. I learned and now feel strongly that birth parents are heroic people. Families are being sealed together because of numerous unselfish sacrifices.

[LizthePrude · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really only read the second half. The first half is mostly for birth moms. I didn't really learn anything new (which I think was the purpose of me reading it). If anyone would like to have my copy, let me know. Otherwise I'll probably DI it when we move out.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gives an interesting perspective on what an LDS birth mother experiences during the adoption process. Heartbreaking. Not much insight on the adoptive couple side.

[Dayna Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the info is outdated (for example, LDS Family Services no longer does adoptions). This is a great book for pregnant, unwed mothers who aren't sure what they should do. Lots of stories about birth moms who decided to place their baby for adoption, raise their baby as a single mom, or marry the father of their baby and become a family. The emphasis is the question, "What is best for the baby?"

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this book for awhile now. I felt it was time to read it. It's a book I knew I wanted to have on our bookshelf -- for that day when Callie is 16 and has certain questions...the day when she just wants to read about adoption in her attempt to get some answers and figure things out in her own mind. I thought this would be a good resource for the entire family.

So, I bought and read the book. It was a good book, though different than what I expected for some reason. It was filled with interesting statistics and facts that I thought were important, and, well, interesting. The first part of the book is written by Monica, as an LDS Family Services caseworker. Though it was interesting (gosh, can't I think of a better word here?), I felt some of it was repetitive. I attribute that, however, to reading this while I worked out, having a harder time focusing, and being overall too busy. So, perhaps I wasn't in "the zone" as I read it. The second portion of the book is written by adoptive parents, birthparents, extended families on both sides, and those children who have been adopted. To me, this was the best part of the book. And, again, maybe it's because it aligns with a project I'm currently working on and so it naturally interested me more. But reading these personalized stories and heartfelt accounts and testimonies -- that's what made the book so fantastic. The first part seemed to talk about why adoption was the best option in certain circumstances. I guess, I already have strong feelings about adoption, so maybe that's why it seemed redundant. It was the writing from the birthmothers and grandparents, etc that brought it home. It's a good book, and I think it's a good book to have on our shelves.

It's a fantastic book, however, for those who are struggling with the idea of adoption -- who are struggling to decide their overall stance on adoption, for those who are trying to decide if they should choose adoption for their unborn baby, and for those trying to decide if adoption is the right path for them in creating their family. It is certainly a great book for family members who want to be supportive to the pregnant woman in their family choosing to place her baby for adoption, and for the family members who will be welcoming a baby into their home through adoption.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was excellent, and everyone I have spoken to about it seems to agree. It covers adoption (specifically from the LDS Family Services perspective) from every angle -- from the point of view of the caseworker, the ecclesiastical leader, the birth parents, the birth parents' families, the adoptive parents, and the adoptive parents' extended family. It also covers all of the options that a woman with an unplanned pregnancy has -- parenting, abortion, and adoption -- all from the view of a birth parent advocate and case worker.

What I loved most about it and what made it easy to read was that the entire book is pretty much the telling of stories of actual people, the decisions they made, and the outcome, whether positive or negative for all those involved. The second half of the book is actually made up of short contributions from people the case worker had actually worked with. I found them beautiful and heart-warming to read, especially as an adoptive mother. This book definitely gave me even more respect for my son's birth mother and all women who face unplanned pregnancies and want to do right by their babies.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book because it gives you insight from every point of view, perspective, angle, and person. I especially loved the fact that all options were laid out for the birth mother and how supportive her caseworker would be in guiding her through all the possibilities, giving her strength to overcome fears and hesitations. I really enjoyed learning the inner workings of the whole process and how every person is really a piece of a beautiful puzzle. There are so many people affected by the life of one single child. It IS biased, and it tells you right from the beginning. I found it uplifting, and I did cry a lot, too. It references The Family Proclamation and it is beautiful. These birth mothers are truly the bravest, most courageous people possible.

I also kept thinking that anyone and everyone who knows of a woman in this situation should read this book so that she can make the best decisions for her child, and ultimately herself. Really, I think everyone should read it in general so that we all have a better understanding of this process, particularly as it relates to LDS Family Services.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book for my required reading to become licenced for adoption in Illinois. It is built on letters from people who have been participants in adoption in different ways, (birth mother/father, adoptive mother/father, birth grandmother/grandfather, child placed for adoption, case worker, etc.) which is really great because you get a lot of different perspectives & you begin to see things that you didn't know were there. Every adoption is so different that not all the stories are directly applicable to your situation, but they do offer glimpses into the myriad of emotions, struggles, and triumphs that many people never have the opportunity to discover. That being said, it's not the most revolutionary book, it is simply a book that deals with an amazing process. I would recommend it to anyone considering adoption.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected this book to be about the journey of adoption from the adoptive parents' perspective, about the challenge of infertility and the process of adoption. Instead, it was more about the process for birth mothers. It was a powerful book that moved me to tears more than once, as story after story is shared. The author is a counselor with LDS Family Services and gives great insight into the situation of an unwed mother. While I hope that I am never personally affected by this in my family, I am grateful for the understanding and compassion I gained from this book. The unselfish gift of a child from one mom to another is so powerful.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was touched by this book. I learned a lot about adoption and how it touches so many people and what an act of love it is. I also learned many beautiful principles that I have thought about and applied in my life. I've been able to share these thoughts with others who are dealing with challenging situations. I love how true principles are not limited to one set of circumstances. This book is a good reminder of that.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book about adoption through the eyes of not only a birthmother and her journey but also adoptive parents and other family members who are affected by adoption! This is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about adoption and a must for those who have experienced adoption or who are in the process of trying to adopt.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt this book was well written and gave great perspective of the birthmother/fathers experiences in placing a child or not. As well as what adoptive parents can experience or relate to going through the process of adoption. Many times I cried (both tears of joy and sadness) for the birthmother and the adoptive parents reading of their experiences.

[Delona · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the book was not as touching as the last half and far less personal and I found myself wondering if I would be very happy with the author if I had been one of the birth mothers she wrote about. The last half of the book consists of letters written by birth parents and adoptive parents; very tender. I don't know if it would be possible to read them with dry eyes.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that took a lot of the scariness out of adoption. I really gained a testimony of the atonement through this book. It would be a good read for anyone but espeically those whose lives have been affected by adoption.

[MiRanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't really what I thought it was going to be. It's a book more for birth mothers trying to decide whether or not to put your baby up for adoption. I felt it was somewhat misleading in the marketing.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. It talks mostly about the choosing to place side of adoption, but I think it will help my capacity to empathize with our birth mother(s). I learned so much and felt so inspired.

[Gideon Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a co-author of the book, I'm a bit biased, but we have seen this book have a great impact on the lives of a lot of people who are going through or considering adoption (either placing or adopting a child). I recommend!

[Dani Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister-in-law gave us this book before we adopted. It was a nice book when you are thinking of adopting or you already have. I enjoyed it.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this because Jon and I are going through the adoption process right now. We're going through the LDS Church and it's the only book I could find from a member of the Church.

[Siri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important for me to read. Great insights on the experiences of birth mothers.

[Angie Whittemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely written with an emphasis on birth mothers. A good read for all involved in the adoption process, but it definitely covers the decisions/emotions of the birth mother.

[John]

More focused on birth mothers than adoptive parents, but interesting to understand the process

[Jennifer]

Just started it

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this has good perspectives from birthmothers.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to review this book before it was published...Love it!!!