Adoption Life Books
Life Books
For the Child
-Uses: Therapeutic for a child in need of answers to questions, growth and development of a healthy and positive self image, and a better understanding of their past experiences, present experiences, and their future experiences within the foster/adopt process. “What does your forever family look like?”
For the Family (Developing a Life Book for their Foster/Adoptive Child.)
-Uses: Gives the family an outline to help them learn how to talk about difficult topics with their foster-adopt placement such as: feelings and memories surrounding biological family members, confusion about the child’s role within their forever family, answers questions for both the child and the adoptive parents about the child’s past, expectations, and needs.
NOTE: If a child who is placed in your home begins disclosing past memories of traumatic experiences (abuse or neglect) it would be beneficial to continue to create the child’s Life Book with the help of a therapeutic professional so the therapist can help the child fully process these experiences.
For the Family (Developing a Family Life Book to Present to your Adoptive Placement).
-Uses: Introducing your family to your potential foster-adopt child. Allowing the child to know what to expect when they visit your home: Pictures introducing the child to your family (names, mom and dad, siblings, aunts and uncles), Show the child their bedroom (you can decorate it when you get here!), Show family pets, outings, etc.