It Takes More Than Love

Adoption isn’t easy. Where can we find help for cross-cultural families? In It Takes More Than Love, Brittany Salmon presents a Christian guide to navigating the complexities of cross-cultural adoption.

Open and Honest

As the father in a multiracial adoptive family, I found this book to be a blessing. Salmon gives an open and honest guide to the realities of cross-cultural adoption. She shares her own story and many of the struggles she faced. She confesses her own sins, and offers hope for adoptive homes.

Discussion questions are presented at the end of every chapter. Research tips and explanations of terms are helpful at the back of the book. This book is for adoptive families, but it is also fitting for those interested in adoption or for those who hope to better help and understand adoptive families.

Representation and Presence

I was most interested to see how Salmon makes the point that representation matters. More than a slogan or catchphrase, action must be taken to find your children windows and mirrors to see their ethnic heritage as important and beautiful. Parents can be the bridge to help their children build curiosity and empathy for their own culture. Real relationships matter most, and I am challenged to provide this for my family.

I was most moved to see how parents can offer their presence in the hard. Salmon shows that trauma and hurt should not be ignored or minimized. Counseling provides a way for parents and children to talk openly about adoption, and we can come to the conversation welcoming it with warmth and compassion. Acknowledgment and affirmation of our stories is a great place to start.

The Courage to Continue the Adoption Journey

This book will speak to your heart as you wrestle with the complexities that come with multiracial adoption. It will help you confront racism and respond to comments about your family. Most importantly, it will give you the courage to continue the adoption journey, knowing that it is worth it, while looking and relying on Jesus all along.

I received a media copy of It Takes More Than Love and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.