The Connected Child by Karyn PurvisThe book candidly addresses topics many adoptive parents are hesitant to admit they’re dealing with, such as hoarding, lying, and even violent outbursts.
By helping parents identify the root cause of certain behaviors, this book helps parents turn their children’s tantrums into opportunities to connect. Used consistently, these strategies often help children begin to feel safe. Only then can they connect with their new parents.
I personally recommend this book not only to the parents of children from hard places, but also their grandparents, teachers and friends!
Review by April Jurgensen
Founder/Executive Director
Adoption and Foster RX: Solutions for Wounded Families by Terry Meeuwsen
Nurturing Adoptions: Creating Resilience after Neglect and Trauma by Deborah Gray
Wounded Children, Healing Homes by Jayne Schooler, Betsy Keefer Smalley, Timothy Callahan
If you are considering adoption or have adopted, you need to read The Whole Life Adoption Book. Chances are, you’ll want to read it again!
With an approach that is both realistic and optimistic, Schooler and Atwood address many of the topics related to adoption. Though they address issues to consider before adopting, most of the book’s focus is on parenting the adopted child.
Like an experienced coach, this book shares both research and examples which guide the reader through many aspects of parenting an adopted child. These include international and transracial adoption issues, special needs adoptions, the child’s need to search for biological family and the impact of trauma on a child’s development.
At each stage, the authors encourage honest communication about the child’s adoption and birth family and recommend practical ways to foster attachment within the adoptive family.
Each chapter closes with summary, take-away thoughts and questions for small group discussion (which can, of course, be used for personal reflection as well).
This book is one to own, as different chapters will be relevant in different seasons of life.
Review by April Jurgensen
Founder/Executive Director