Recently I've been doing a lot of reading around adoption, as I'm sure everyone does at this stage, I thought I'd share with you these three great books I've come across as I've found them incredibly helpful, insightful and inspiring.
No Matter What -Sally Donovan
This was recommended to me by a fellow PAM and was such a great read, a real page turner - for the first few chapters me and Mr K were fighting over it as we'd never read anything that was so similar to our own journey before, it was like reading about our own life in some parts! Sally Donovan's writing is an ease to read and her account of adoption is extremely honest and raw at times. I would recommend this book to any prospective adopters/ adopters. I can't wait to read Sally's next book - a sort of instruction manual for adopters, out in the Autumn I think.
No Matter What -Sally Donovan
This was recommended to me by a fellow PAM and was such a great read, a real page turner - for the first few chapters me and Mr K were fighting over it as we'd never read anything that was so similar to our own journey before, it was like reading about our own life in some parts! Sally Donovan's writing is an ease to read and her account of adoption is extremely honest and raw at times. I would recommend this book to any prospective adopters/ adopters. I can't wait to read Sally's next book - a sort of instruction manual for adopters, out in the Autumn I think.
First Steps In Parenting The Child Who Hurts. Tiddlers and Toddlers - Caroline Archer
I picked up this book at our last training day at the agency and only just opened it the other day, after reading just a few pages I was overjoyed. This is just the sort of book I had been hoping existed, full of practical tips that are seemingly simple but absolutely invaluable. The tone of the parenting style is very holistic and caring, which I love, I particularly enjoyed the section on 'Grounding' or 'earthing' (harmonising to the rhythms of the natural world) and helping your child find a balance in order to be able to 'self-regulate' as well as the importance of re- affirming your belief in yourself in order to help your child achieve this for themselves. It also highlights the vital role of 'touch' in helping to form healthy attachments, with lots of tips how to adapt this caring, soothing style to your individual situation. This is something I strongly believe in, and have seen the benefits first hand, being a Baby Massage Instructor. The book is specifically for the Babies/ toddlers age group, but I think there is one for older children available to. I will be ordering a copy of this book for keeps and I'm sure it will be something I refer to a lot during the early days of placement. I also think it will be a valuable read for close family who will be involved in the care of our child/ren.
Big Steps For Little People - Celia Foster
This book was recommended to us by a SW in one of our very early meetings. It is a mixture of a true story and a sort of 'instruction manual'! Celia Foster and her husband adopted two boys with attachment difficulties and some behavioural problems, she tells her story as well as outlining many of the techniques she has used successfully over the years to help her children heal. Her energy and inventiveness for all these wonderful strategies astounds me and is so inspiring, it really gives you the feeling of 'Yeah I Can Do This'. She is very honest about the difficulties encountered with adopting but I left the pages feeling really positive about this being the right thing for me as it feels achievable with her advice and the rewards are extremely evident as you read about her children growing into happy, confident boys.
If anyone has any more recommendations, then please do let me know :)