[love2scrap]

We went to our first PRIDE class last Thurs and along with the instructor/cw there is a foster parent there that will be part of the class, giving her imput/experience as a foster parent. She's been a FP for over 23 yrs. She mentioned about creating life books for each of the kids that come to her home.

My DH nudge me when it was mentioned since I'm an avid scrapbooker (thus my name on here). Just wondering if anyone else makes life books for their kids? I thought it was a great idea.

[gdaisy]

I found a digital scrapbooking program that I am creating lifebooks for my children. If and when they are RU I will send these home with them. I, of course, will keep a digital copy for me in case they do come back into care... or they end up being adopted. I love the idea.

[dachshunds4you]

I find parents/family really appreciate this gesture. If the kids are in care for even just a few months they can change so much, especially if they are babies. A lot of families would have no pictures of their kids if not for foster parents doing this.

I even do the 'lazy' version where I insert pictures in an album and write a few words about it. Something is better than nothing.

[bllrm]

I only do the "lazy" version for the kids to take home and I think it works great since I never know when they'll leave. Fancy scrapbooking is not required, just the memories are important for the kids to take with them if they leave. I buy cute little flip albums for $2 and attach a little note. I also put a small note and a few pictures in the kids' diaper bags for the bio parents every 6 weeks or so since they often don't have a chance to take pics outside of the CPS office. They seem to really appreciate it.

[bllrm]

P.S. Lifebooks are required, not optional. My FAD worker asked to see ours at our last inspection. It's important for the kids.

[love2scrap]

I agree it's important to the kids, they loose connection to their heritage when their in foster care. I digi scrap and traditional paper scrap and I have so much children theme paper that I was just staring at- it'll be fun to use!

[frontporch]

There's a free class at Adoption Learning Partners on lifebooks. Adoption Learning Partners: Courses and Adoption Community

I too am a big scrapbooker! I've tried not to think about the lifebooks so much yet because the kids we adopt will already have so much maintained by their foster parents. I do know that I don't want to re-do their books. So, once I see what they've got then I can work from there.

[jeffw]

Those of you with sibling groups, be sure to make a life book for each kid. Our boys were part of a group of three. Their sister was separated and she took the life book. Now the only pictures we have of them from before are the old file photos documenting the abuse.

[CaddoRose]

Originally Posted by bllrm

P.S. Lifebooks are required, not optional. My FAD worker asked to see ours at our last inspection. It's important for the kids.

No one has ever told us to keep a Lifebook. I take pics about every other week or at special events and do put them in an album because I like to do it, but I've never been told I had to do it.

[frontporch]

It's in CPS policy as a Foster Care Parent Responsibility

Appendix 7040-A: Expectations, Roles and Responsibilities of Foster Parents

[linda3995]

When we fostered, I copied all the pictures to a CD. As much as I love to scrapbook, I fear all the work (and cost) placed into it may get lost in a home of possible disarray.

Now, for adopting and creating a life book of your family - I do scrapbook that and it seems to help a lot when presenting our family for a child. I think the extra effort pays off.

[Yes2Kids]

I also give bio parents pics every so often, they seem to really like that. I don't have time to scrapbook much anymore, but I do have each child a album with pics, especialy of holidays and their birthdays and I write in them. I learned in our PRIDE training that this was required, but I do believe it is a good thing..

[love2scrap]

We went over it in greater detail and it is required. Not a fancy one (although being a scrapbooker, that'll be hard not to do) but pics for the kids to hold on to.