Welcoming a New Brother or Sister Through Adoption

Arleta James, MS, PCC, has been an adoption professional for many years. She spent several years as a caseworker for the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption Network placing foster children with adoptive families and then as the statewide Matching Specialist. She now works as a clinical therapist at the renowned Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio, USA, providing services for attachment difficulties, childhood trauma and issues related to adoption. She was the 1999 Pensylvania Adoption Professional of the Year.

Introduction.; 1. "I'm Getting a Brother or Sister!": Kids Develop Expectations Pre-Adoption.; 2. "My New Brother or Sister Experienced Trauma: What Does that Mean?".; 3. Pre-Adoption Preparation: "Yes, We Brothers and Sisters Need Information".; 4. "I Am a 'Quality' Parent!": Reviewing and Refining Your Parenting Strengths.; 5. Finally! My New Brother or Sister is Arriving!.; 6. "After He Came, Everything Changed!": Post-Placement Common Challenges.; 7. "My Brother or Sister Won't be Living with Us Any More": Disruption, Dissolution, Displacement and Other Leavings.; 8. "Help Me Cope, Please": Striking a Balance Post-Adoption.; 9. Triggers, Losses and Feelings: Facilitating Your Son's and Daughter's Grief.; 10. "You Know Your Birthmother and I Don't": Blending Children with Diverse Birth Histories - an Emerging Common Challenge.; 11. "My New Sibling's Behaviors Are So Bizarre!" Learning to Be a Peaceful Family Again.; 12. Two of the Toughest Behaviors - Sexual-Acting Out and Aggression: Ensuring a Safe, Secure Home Environment.; 13. "We Hardly have Family Game Night Anymore": Restoring Family Fun.; 15. "Yes, I Have Experienced Positives!" Brothers, Sisters and Adoptees Speak about the Benefits of Adoption. Appendices. References. Index.