Adoption Life Book company, Adoption World Specialties, has many bibliotherapy resources for adoptive and foster parents and the child. In addition to the Adoption Life Books we offer on our website AdoptionWorld.net, is a special adoption workbook called My Adoption Workbook, written by Theresa L. McCoy, LBSW.
Theresa writes: “Dear Social Worker, Preparing a child for adoption is vital to a successful placement. This pre and post-adoption workbook is intended for individual use with a school-age child. Some activities, however, may be incorporated into a group setting. This workbook addresses not only the mechanical process of adoption, but also the feelings, fears and questions that may arise in the child. Exercises are based on 26 years of hands-on experience placing ‘special needs’ children. Adapt this curriculum to any unique circumstance and supplement as needed. In addition, I recommend the use of life books to help adopted children document their life stories and to understand better the issues concerning their past.”
My Adoption Workbook addresses key elements of the process: What Is Adoption? How birth parents and children get separated; a judge decides; why you are separated from your birth parents; it’s alright to remember. How Adoption Gets Started includes important adoption facts; the social worker’s job; the plan for my adoption; questions to ask your social worker; you are worth it; what I like about myself. What Are Adoptive Families Like? Some like pizza… Some don’t; wishing while you wait; a picture in your mind; what about trust?; what does trust mean to you?; Parents show love in many ways; love is more than hugs and kisses. Meeting a family who wants to adopt includes feelings; I wonder…; Parents have questions, too!; Visiting is an important step; getting ready for your first meeting; first overnight and first long visit; your adoptive family is chosen. Moving In – Pack up and saying good bye; living with your new family, changes to get used to; thinking of people you care about; and they lived happily ever after; more than a family member. A Forever Family focuses on finalizing your adoption; questions and answers about finalization; David’s finalization day. The Appendix has games, commitment ceremony, candle ceremony and adoption pledges.
Excerpt from What Is Adoption: Because you and your birth parents cannot live together, it is necessary to find another family who will love and care for you. This adoption book will help you understand why you and your birth parents are separated and all the steps that will be taken to find a new family that is right for you. Becoming part of that new family is called “adoption”.
At Adoption World Specialties, we trust that you will find this pre/post adoption workbook helpful in preparing a child to make a “love connection”. It is dedicated to all children who are still waiting… and hoping for a new family. To learn more about this workbook, our adoption life books and adoption life story books, foster life books targeted at children and parents in foster situations, and the variety of bibliotherapy we have to offer please visit us at www.adoptionworld.net and discover our world.