Parenting Adopted Adolescents: Understanding and Appreciating Their Journeys

by Gregory C. Keck, Eugene H. Peterson

In his newest release, Dr. Gregory C. Keck offers new insights and parenting strategies relative to adolescents, especially adopted adolescents. Parents will find humor and relief as they realize their role in their child’s journey in the adoption process.

Genres: Adoption, Parenting, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2009

Reviews

[Rayme]

Written from a Christian perspective this book had some advice that I found outdated with regards to sexuality and morality, but overall ATA was a helpful book in giving me a deeper understanding of adopting a teenager.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Keck's other books on adopting older children before adopting our kids 6 years ago. They were among the most useful books I read. My kids are now teens/preteens, and when I glanced at the back of this book, I knew I had to read it (you'll have to go look yourself!). It did not disappoint. I am in the midst of very tough times with one child, and the personal stories at the end were a great encouragement.

[Rosie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is presented as "a casual conversation on how to strengthen...your relationship with your adopted adolescent" with the author, and it shows. I devoured it in a single day, most because there wasn't must substance to it at all. The overall organization of the book was confusing. Ideas did not flow together well at all, but you get used to it by page 50. Anecdotal stories peppered in with the author's personal opinions not necessarily based on fact or meant to apply in a broad sense at all. It's a very biased book, with an obvious agenda to present Christian thinking as good and true to an uncomfortable degree, to the point that the author suggests that if your adopted child feels homosexual it's due to sexual abuse in their past. This is obviously ridiculous. There's also some genuinely silly sexist remarks about the biological difference between boys and girls in the final chapter of the book titled "Random Reflections". The tiny chapter on teen sexuality is so unfit for the real world it frames all other advice in the book as questionable. But overall I enjoyed the various points of view that were represented, though they were limited and didn't do well to support the author's opinions. I still wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, not even people looking for a better understanding of adopted adolescents. There are just far to many more practical and well theorized books out there to give this one your time.

[Laura Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, much nicer than a lot of books on parenting and/or adoption. Gave ways to look at things I hadn't before and gave reminders of things I had known but forgotten. Worth the read if you're parenting an adolescent.

[Thorn MotherIssues · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is published by a Christian publisher, and I note that because the sections about sexual morality and religiosity were largely not applicable to what I'd want to instill in my child. However, the rest of the book was fantastic. I think this is a particularly great resource for people adopting adolescents at that age, but also for adolescents who were adopted at a younger age. It's an easy read but tells parents things they might not want to hear even though they need to (about not fighting over homework, talking openly about adoption and race, dealing with the effects of trauma, etc.) in supportive but useful ways.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt like it took me forever to read this - I am actually surprised to find its only been a couple of weeks. As with most of the parenting books I'm reading these days I definitely found a few good nuggets of useful information, advice or just validation. I also found myself wrestling a little with disappointment...I think the deal is I can understand the basic premise here with my heart but struggle with wanting more concrete suggestions? Three and a half stars and I will probably end up leafing through it again from time to time.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband and I are starting our adoption process, hoping to adopt an adolescent. It seems this book is better suited for parents who have already completed their adoption rather than those who are just starting out. Each chapter covers an issue that adolescents potentially face. Unfortunately, as a hopeful parent, this book was more intimidating than encouraging.

[Kim Botto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for all parents of adolescents, not just kids who have joined your family they adoption. Especially love his view on allowing our kids to dream even if it seems unattainable.