Back in November Christian Adoption Blogger, Laura Christanson, posted about a cool scrapbooking Contest. The deal was you were to make a scrapbooking layout on a way that scrapbooking has changed your life or that you have passed on a legacy. Well, you know how much I love Charlie’s life book and what a great thing I think it is, so I decided to enter the contest and make a layout about passing on my love... more

I thought my lifebook series was complete, but a comment in one of the lifebooks posts got me to thinking about circumstances where a child’s birthmom might not be able to make a lifebook.

Chances comment: I have also made one for my adopted son that I explain to him who these people are, and I have put pictures that I have (before he came to live with us), and as much of his family tree as possible. But I had just copied your post and I am going to send it to his b.mom and see if she would be interesting in making a book from her perspective.

Perhaps... more

While creating a lifebook for her birth daughter, my friend Brandy, recalls feeling that it was lacking something. After much thought, she decided to add quotes that she found meaningful all through out the pages of the lifebook. It turned out beautiful and Brandy has agreed to share some of those quotes with us. Maybe one or two will touch you and find their way inside the pages of your child’s lifebook.

“One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove or what kind of clothes I wore. All that will matter is that I... more

Now, that you know almost everything there probably is to know about creating a lifebook for your child from my previous posts, let me share a few resources and other ideas with you!

I love scrapbooking websites. They can provide you with inspiration, great quotes, poems, layout ideas, etc! In searching, I found a lot of websites that have ideas for adoptive parents of children adopted internationally or sell products geared towards scrapbooks for internationally adopted children but unsurprisingly there is not very much information out there that is devoted... more

Part 1 Part 2

When should I give my child the lifebook? Whenever you want! Some birthmothers begin them during pregnancy and give them to the adoptive parents upon placement. While others (like me) waited awhile to make them. Older birthmothers could also make one to give to their child upon reunification. No matter their age, a lifebook is something that will be treasured for years to come!

What age level should I gear the lifebook towards? This is dependent... more

Continued from Part 1

How can adopted children benefit from having a lifebook? A lifebook constantly reaffirms your love for your child and can also make you more “real” to your child if you are not able to visit much. The adoptive parents can use a lifebook as a teaching tool to educate him or her about his birth family.

What should I include in my child’s lifebook? Below are some ideas of what you can include.... more