Before You Were Mine: Discovering Your Adopted Child's Lifestory

by Susan TeBos

Anyone whose life has been touched by adoption understands the importance of learning about and then sharing an adoptive child's birth heritage. This comprehensive resource helps adoptive parents prepare for their roles as storytellers, a privilege unique to the adoption experience. It helps parents embark on a sacred journey of discovery as they learn how important it is to know and honor an adopted child s lifestory. In this book, parents are invited to bring their child s story to life by making a Lifebook to provide a message of hope in the midst of fragmented experiences of the past. While there have been several books written about Lifebooks in the past, Before You Were Mine is the first resource that includes a faith perspective. Adopted children eventually want and need to know their birth story and their parents want and need to tell it in a healthy way. In this book parents are shown important lessons on timing, shaping, affirming, embracing, imagining, honoring and praying. Encouragement is provided through practical advice and easy-to-use forms to freely express their thoughts and feelings; capture facts, events, and moments; and imagine where information is missing all to create a Lifebook of their own.

Genres: Adoption

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2007

Reviews

[Delona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that I read this book before I adopt. It helped change my perspective a bit and gave me a lot of ideas. Written by two Christians, it is a great reminder that God's hand is in our lives and that our children need to be reminded of that.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very helpful in putting together a life book and helps make it clear why it is so important. Now I have the direction to go on completing this important project. A definite read for those who adopt. Well worth the time to put one together for your child.

[D.L. Price · Rating 1 out of 5]

Being that adoption is part of my life, I thought this book would be helpful. Sorry, but I was bored with it. Tried to read it since 2012 and could barely get through it. Not a keeper for me.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful in so many ways. If you have formed your family through adoption, I highly recommend this book.