Author Ann Stressman, offers a wealth of experience and insight to Foster, Adoptive, Kinship and Birth parents. 24 chapters deal with subjects like: The Impact of Social Class; Matching You with Types of Children; Fostering: 'If I Had Only Known'; Adopting: Knowing What's Right for You; Long-Term Support for the Child and You; Parenting Your Grandchildren and much, much more. All subjects are dealt with in-depth and are accompanied by entertaining, to-the-point anecdotes of personal experience.

Ann Stressman has over 20 years' experience as a foster parent. She's been 'mom' to more than 100 foster children. She and her husband each raised their own biological children and have adopted four. She's researched the subject of parenting, attended classes and conducted seminars for parents of foster, adoptive and other 'special needs children.'

In her book, Stressman combines as well Dr. Ruby K. Payne's theories about hidden rules of economic class with the everyday, practical aspects of raising children. The result is a wise, 'nothing can surprise me' compilation of enlightened approaches for the literally hundreds of parenting situations that arise within families.

Appendix sections at the end of the book synthesize data and offer formats for emergency sheets, child progression sheets, confidentiality and mandated reporting forms and a helpful glossary of terms and jargon.

"Who are 'special children,' after all?" Stressman writes. "Special children are those who differ in significant ways from the rest of the population because of their medical conditions, birth circumstances, or family situation. Or they could be showing strange behaviors, learning problems, ways of coping, or some sort of disorder. There are still others who have simply been dealt a tough hand in life -- and so are special. When I began to list some 'special children' and their characteristics, I discovered that many of my techniques, indeed, are ways to work with all children."

241 pp.

Take advantage of author Ann Stressman's wealth of experience and insight and read Parenting Someone Else's Child - the Foster Parents' How-To Manual.

Stressman's body of knowledge is impressive. Her book offers the reader 24 chapters of information and techniques for working with 'special needs' children. All subjects are dealt with in-depth and are accompanied by entertaining, to-the-point anecdotes of personal experience.

Typical of her meticulous approach is Chapter 15 - Systems Issues/Establishing Working Relationships. That topic alone, as Stressman notes, could fill a whole book. Interaction with medical, legal and school systems and various agencies can be overwhelming as parents are responsible for mountains of paperwork. She guides the reader through what is so often a stressful, confusing maze and renders these processes understandable.

Stressman's writing is warm, empathetic and easy to read. It's almost as though you were sitting down with her at the kitchen table, talking it all out. She's a gifted communicator who skillfully welcomes readers into the unique world of special needs children and the dedicated parents who care for them.

Marilyn von Qualen, editor

Dr. Vera Fahlberg Classic DVD Library Collection

Listening to Birth Families: Forming Kinship Groups

Re-Education of Foster and Adoptive Children: Prospects for a Healthy Life

FosterParentCollege.com: Positive Parenting 1 - Cooperation, Tracking and Encouragement

FosterParentCollege.com: Positive Parenting 2 - Setting Limits & Behavior Contracts

Safe Passage: A Summary of the "Parent to Parent" Mentoring Program