[ncdean]

I came across a book called A Birthparent's Book of Memories by Brenda Romanchik. It has been out for awhile but it looks like a great idea. I was thinking of ordering it for my son's birthmother and I wanted to get someone's opinion on it first. For those of you who have never heard of it, it is a journal/scrapbook for a birthmom to record information about herself and her reasons for choosing adoption. It is meant to be given to the child at some point. Any comments are appreciated.

Nikki

[taramayrn]

I am a birthmother and bought this book for myself to give to my son. My son is almost 6 years old and I still haven't finished it. I think it is a great gift though for your child's bmom to fill out and then give to your child.

[ncdean]

Thank you for your response. Is there anything that you really like or dislike about the book?

[taramayrn]

I like that it is a fill in the blank sort of thing - questions to answer. I have a hard time coming up with things to write and sometimes I need a little inspiration. There is also spots for pictures.

[ncdean]

Thank you again. You have been very helpful.

[sugarbabysmommy]

We gave this book to our child's birth mother. It will be some time before it is returned, it's a work in progress sort of thing.

[Leigh131313]

I'm pretty sure brenda is a member of this forum...quite active too.

Leigh

[taramayrn]

She sure is

[gunelsmom]

I just found a great resource for books. I think it's mycreationsbooks website. I bought a book for my daughter and they were able to customize the illustrations and names. It was really cute and it literally took me 5 minutes to fill out. This was after I spent weeks trying to do one for myself!!

If you know of anything else, let me know. I am always looking to find new books for my daughter.

Thanks,
Laurie

[ncdean]

Laurie,

Thank you for the website. The books were very cute and I just ordered one for my son. I have been meaning to do a lifebook for him but I haven't started it yet because it just seems like an overwhelming task. The book will work very well for his adoption story until I get his lifebook done myself.

[gunelsmom]

great! I hope your son likes his as much as my daughter likes hers.

[bromanchik]

I wrote the book, so excuse my bias.

It is definately a work in progress kind of thing, but from what I have heard from many birthmoms, is that it really helps their healing. It makes sense. There is such a thing as "narrative therapy". It is a process of putting your story into words. Giving narrative to your experience. There is something really powerful in that.

My son was 10 when the first edition was published 11 years ago. For about a year and half after I gave it to him his mom told me he read from it every night. He actually can quote large parts of it to me to this day. It has also been the foundation for numerous discussions.

I see it as a gift for four people.... your child, their birthparent and the adoptive parents. It is a gift of knowledge and of history.