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 upon the age you plan to give your lifebook to your child or his/her family. I didn’t complete mine until my son was 4 years old. I wrote it in a way that he could understand most of it now and not be babyish when he is a young man looking back at it. If you choose not to give your child the lifebook until he/she is older, then you can gear it towards an older child.

Charlie’s adoptive parents reacted very well to the gift of the lifebook. They looked through it and learned things about me and my family they didn’t know and view it as something special given to Charlie. I’ve been told that Charlie really enjoys looking at it. Since he is only five, they want to keep it put up so he doesn’t get it messed up, but they can pull it out any time he has questions or needs pictures to reaffirm whom his birth family is.

It was also very healing and validating to create this scrapbook for Charlie. It was a very positive experience for me personally.

Whether you are a scrap booking queen or not, I encourage and urge you to sit down and create this lasting legacy for your birth child. Even if your child is an adult, I don’t think it’s ever too late to pass on this part of their biological history!

Next, I will share some resources and one more idea with you, thus concluding my Creating a Lifebook Series!