[Saya]

We're FINALLY getting one together for Anabel. We have photos printed, we've dug stuff out like the airline tickets from when we visited and the little bracelet from the hospital when she was born, and now we have to put it all together.

When you did your child's lifebook, what was the narrative? Did it start with his or her birth? With mommy and daddy wanting a baby? With the birthmom? How did the story progress from there? And what person did you use (we're thinking about 2nd person).

[nannyisme2004]

This is the best site I have found for putting together lifebooks. Adoption Lifebooks What to Include

The owner of site has two kids born in Guatemala and there are actual lifebook pages online.

Have fun.

[Saya]

Follow-up question - if you know that your child has biological siblings and that they were parented by their birth mother, would you mention it in the lifebook? My gut feeling is no, but it is her story and it's a part of her life, so I'm not sure.

[dac_cincy]

Jillian-
I would include everything you know- as your child grows up, you read them their story in an age appropriate manner but by the time they are 10 (according to the experts) they should know their complete story. Remeber the life book is not the same as a scrapbook- this is more personal. I have a life book for my son and 3 scrapbooks. The scrapbooks are accessible to anyone in the house since the sit on a shelf in the living room, the lifebook is put away so only he and I can get to it. He is still 3 and it is his choice who he shares it with. I have not shared it with anyone but him.

Also back to your first question- I actually started 2 other life books for my son before settling on the last format. His life book is told in both 1st person and 2nd person. Some parts are about my waiting and what he was doing while I waited for him and others parts are about him - his reactions, etc. It is alot abotu how we came to be a family and the journey we took to come together. I have pages on his birth family and his foster family. Pages on the different stories I was told through his adoption process. Just all the information I could put in there, I put in so I woudl not forget anything.

I think there is no right or wrong when you do the life books in terms of what voice to use. I encourage you to have fun with it and enjoy the process.

Love and hugs,