Journey to Parenthood: The Ultimate Guide for Same-Sex Couples (Adoption, Foster Care, Surrogacy, Co-parenting)

by Eric Rosswood

Overview

An Indispensable Toolset for Same-Sex Parenthood

"An absolute ‘must-have’ for any LGBT couple engaged in family planning!” —Midwest Book Review

First published in 2016 and winner of four literary awards.* Now updated and packed with valuable information and more powerful stories of same-sex parents achieving and navigating parenthood.

Yes, you do have options. Same-sex couples (gay dads, lesbian moms, or other queer couples) are faced with many different options when choosing to have a family that includes beautiful children. In Journey to Parenthood, author, activist and father Eric Rosswood guides and helps prospective LGBTQIA parents explore adoption, foster care, assisted reproduction, surrogacy and co-parenting.

Create your own happy family unit. Each section includes a description of a specific family-building approach, followed by personal stories from same-sex couples and individuals who have chosen that particular path. Learn strategies for dealing with challenges you will encounter on this parenting journey.

Inside find:

• Strategies for successfully navigating same sex parenthood
• Firsthand accounts combined with critical tips and advice 
• Updated information about adoption, foster care, assisted reproduction, surrogacy and co-parenting

If you benefited from Eric Rosswood’s bestselling book We Make It Better or his Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads; or have read parenting books like Raised by Unicorns, Raising Good Humans, What to Expect When You're Expecting, or The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read, you’ll want to read Journey to Parenthood.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684810208
Publisher:	Mango Media
Publication date:	10/25/2022
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	778,668
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Eric Rosswood is an author and commentator on LGBTQ issues including civil rights, parenting, marriage, and politics. He has led panels on LGBTQ parenting issues for organizations such as the Family Equality Council and the Modern Family Alliance.

Table of Contents

Foreword 10

Introduction 12

Preface 15

Part 1 Open Adoption 18

Mat and Eric Rosswood 22

Chris and Novia Rowzee 36

Matthew Smith and Trey Darnell 48

Manuel and Dale 67

Part 2 Foster Parenting and Adopting from Foster Care 74

Cori Ferguson and Casey Garrison 77

Duke and Steve Nelson 82

Diana Buchbinder 89

Rob Watson 95

Thomas Whaley and Carl Leichthammer 102

Lisa Blake and Kerry Booth 106

Part 3 Surrogacy 111

David and Josh 114

Kevin Wakelin 124

Part 4 Assisted Reproduction 130

Elaine Boyd and Cathy Smith 134

Sarah Ann Gilbert 141

Rudene and Anna-Marie du Preez 147

Lois D'Imperio and Holly Robinson 156

Jenn and Michele Margiotta-Watz 162

Part 5 Co-Parenting 168

Paul and Dustin 171

George Tennant 193

Epilogue 203

Words of Advice 206

Wrapping Things Up 211

Resources 212

Acknowledgments 217

Appendix A Legal Considerations 219

Appendix B Reasons Why and Challenges 225

Appendix C Questions to Ask 237

Appendix D LGBTQ-Friendly Books for Your Kids 242

About the Author 256

Editorial Reviews

...destined to be the resource book of the decade for LGBTQ couples.”
—Gay San Diego

“An absolute ‘must-have’ for any LGBT couple engaged in family planning!”
—Midwest Book Review

“This is a helpful guide, full of heart-warming stories of modern families.”
—Attitude Magazine

“The ultimate family-building road map...the modern day version of What to Expect When You're Expecting for same-sex parents to be.”
—TheNextFamily.com

“Supportive and helpful…full of warmth, encouragement, and advice. A good place for prospective parents to start.”
—Publishers Weekly

“The Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood will lead you through moments of both laugh-out-loud humor and immense heartache. This book is informative, emotionally compelling, and a must-read for LGBTQ people considering parenthood.”
—Zach Wahls, author of the national bestseller My Two Moms

“This book is a valuable resource not only for those couples or individuals that are approaching parenthood, but also for LGBT service providers that want to become more aware of the challenges that same sex couples face when making these decisions. Through real life experiences and passionate stories this book is a true game changer. Once you have read it, I'm sure you'll be recommending it to everyone you know.”
—Max Disposti, executive director of the North San Diego County LGBTQ Resource Center

“A collection of informative and inspiring stories about the journey into parenthood by a variety of couples whose riveting experiences will help anyone looking to grow their family!”
—Dan Bucatinsky, Emmy Award-winning actor (Scandal) and author of Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight

“This book is an eye-opener for what same-sex couples really go through when trying to start a family. In my work as a legislator advocating on behalf of our community, I’ve seen the stumbling blocks many couples face on the path to becoming parents—both in law and in society—and this book is a great resource for couples considering this often difficult process.”
—NY State Assembly Member Daniel J. O'Donnell, sponsor of New York's Marriage Equality Act and the state’s groundbreaking anti-bullying legislation, the Dignity for All Students Act

From the Publisher

02/15/2016
With marriage equality now legal throughout the country, a substantial rise in the number of families headed by LGBTQ parents may be expected. Activist and stay-at-home dad Rosswood focuses his book on five options that same-sex couples can consider for growing their families. Short descriptions of each are accompanied by inspiring personal narratives from parents who candidly share their experiences with readers. The five paths described here are open adoption; foster parenting; surrogacy; assisted reproduction, in which one person in a same-sex relationship carries the child to term; and intentional co-parenting, which involves people in platonic relationships. Rosswood succinctly outlines the series of sometimes difficult steps demanded by each choice, and the first-person stories illustrate the emotional commitment necessary, as well as the accompanying interviews, evaluations, costs, and legal requirements. Appendices include a short checklist of legal considerations and some questions to ask of yourself. This supportive and helpful volume is full of warmth, encouragement, and advice, and it’s a good place for prospective parents to start. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly