Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child: Making Sense of the Past, 2nd Edition: Making Sense of the Past

by Betsy Keefer Smalley, Jayne E. Schooler

Overview

Approximately one of every four adopted children will have adjustment challenges related to their separation from the birth family, earlier trauma, attachment difficulties, and/or issues stemming from the adoption process. Common complicating issues of adopted children are feelings of rejection, abandonment, or confusion about their origins. While many foster and adoptive parents and even many professionals are reluctant to communicate openly about birth histories, silence only adds to the child's confusion and pain.

This revised and significantly expanded edition of the award-winning Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child equips parents with the knowledge and tools they need to communicate with their adopted or foster child about their past. Revisions include coverage of significant new research and information regarding the importance of understanding the child's trauma history to his or her well-being and successful adjustment in his foster or adoptive family.

The authors answer such questions as: How do I share difficult information about my child's adoption in a sensitive manner? When is the right time to tell my child the whole truth? How do I obtain more information on my child's history? Detailed descriptions of actual cases help the parent or caregiver find ways to discover the truth (particularly in closed and international adoption cases), organize the information, and explain the details of the past gently to a toddler, child, or young adult who may find it frightening or confusing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440834059
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/15/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	926 KB

About the Author

Betsy Keefer Smalley, LSW, is a trainer, curriculum developer, and author. She speaks both nationally and internationally. She recently retired from the Institute for Human Services in Columbus, OH.

Jayne E. Schooler, MBS, has worked for many years as an adoption worker and trainer both nationally and internationally. She is the author or coauthor of six books related to adoption, including The Whole Life Adoption Book: Realistic Advice for Building a Healthy Adoptive Family.

What People are Saying About This

Arleta James

"Without a narrative, it is difficult for adopted children to form attachments and identity. Pent up grief prevents physiological social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth. Parents and professionals learn how to prepare themselves to help youngsters process their pre-adoptive experiences—yes, even the toughest of these experiences! Sample words and visual activities are right on point! This guide is 'must read' and a 'must use' resource! I cannot say enough positive things about this book!"

Darla L. Henry

"Using experiences of children/youth, parents, and professionals, the authors establish a comprehensive foundation and vital discussion on current adoption practices. This timely update includes transfer of learning questions for each chapter and numerous tools for engagement to further best practice applications. Particular attention is given to the development of and use of life books, the integral tool to support life story work."