In the next month or so, the wife and I will be headed to Kiev to adopt a child (or two, gulp). One thing that my wife would like, because she was adopted, is a book designed for children that explains adoption via a children’s story or whatnot. She had one herself growing up and treasures it dearly and will share it, but it is clearly very dated and she was hoping for something a bit more up-to-date.
Keep in mind, we will be talking openly with them about adoption as they grow up, but a book would be nice as well, and I’m looking for any recommendations for titles that would work well.
Tommy - I can’t recommend you a book (I was adopted and have such a book at home, but it too is very dated - in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same one your wife has) but I wanted to offer my Congratulations!!!
Congrats and how very exciting and scary at the same time. (Parenthood, no matter how you become a parent, is a leap off the cliff of life.) Take lots of pictures and document your trip in a journal for them. ( ok, and us.)
Another book, that makes me cry whenever I read it is Rainbabies about an older woman who cannot have children of her own, so she has to take care of these minature babies until it is time for them to leave. It doesn’t end sad, it is beautiful. The artwork is simple luminous.
I don’t know of any children’s books, but I just wanted to check in and ask if you’ve been able to find a nice “baby book” for adoption? My local upscale children’s consignment shop/boutique has adoption-specific ones (they even have ones for adoption by a single mom and adoption by partners). If you think you might be interested, just drop me an email and I can find out more about it.
First, let me say congratulations on your soon-to-be fatherhood! I hope that, someday, my husband and I will be able to do what you and your wife are doing. Here are some books about adoption that people seem to like:
My wife is huge into scrapbooking, so she has a scrapbook already picked out, along with all the appropriate little googaws to go into it. It will include all of the photos of the trip (plus they will go onto our website). We have some photos and video of the baby’s room on it, but I have a feeling there will be much MUCH more on there not long after we return. Being somewhat clueless in these affairs, I do not know what would be different between a baby book, so if you do happen to find out more, please share!
Regarding the other titles listed, thanks everyone! I sent a link to the thread to my wife and she has ordered a couple of titles. I will probably pick up a few more myself today when I order Bradt’s Ukraine Travel Guide and a couple of Miss Manners books (the rearing children one in particular).
I have no idea what I’m doing with this whole fatherhood thing, but I’m enjoying the ride so far.
When we do get back and I get the pictures up, you all will be the third to know (after my parents and her parents). Thanks again!
I hope that, someday, my husband and I will be able to do what you and your wife are doing. Here are some books about adoption that people seem to like: