Lifebooks

One of the most common problems I see among adoptive families is this:

No one really knows how to talk to their child about the details of their adoption.

Whether you adopted several years ago, or are a “waiting parent,” the best time to think about how to talk to your child about adoption is NOW!
Why?

Adoptees so often have many unanswered questions.  The purpose of a lifebook is for your child to have access the facts of his/her life before joining your family.

Why Lifebooks?

• Lifebooks can help fill in the missing pieces with words, pictures, artifacts, and information. 

• Lifebooks help initiate conversations.  They help everyone feel more comfortable talking about tough details. 

• They become treasured storybooks.  They help your child understand who s/he is and where they come from.

• Your child can control when they want to look at it, when to put it away, and who they want to show it to.

Chronicle your adoption journey and preserve all the steps along the way.  If you’re a  waiting parent, this is a great way to help with the waiting and prepare yourself.  If you’ve adopted, you’ll enjoy completing the lifebook that you keep meaning to finish, but never seem to have the time.

Ask yourself…how would you feel if you created a lifebook for your child?

• Would you feel more confident in being able to fill in the missing pieces for your child?

• Would writing with the support of other adoptive parents help you decide on the “right words” to use?

• Would it be easier if you had step-by-step instructions on how to start and finish the lifebook, and have all the supplies you need?

If you’ve answered YES to any or all of these questions, I invite you to sign up for the next LIFEBOOK WORKSHOP! 

Among the topics we’ll cover:

• How lifebooks help children at different developmental stages

• How to identify important information, pictures, and artifacts to include in a lifebook

• How to write about the details of your child’s adoption and fill in the missing pieces (especially when you don’t have a lot of information)

• How to use adoption-positive language, and kid-friendly language

The Lifebook Workshop takes place over two evenings, from 6- 9 pm.

Call Lorraine at (416) 418-2787 to find out when the next Lifebook Workshop is offered.

Adoption Scrapbooking Night

Do you want to meet other adoptive parents or waiting parents?

Do you Scrapbook or want to learn how to scrapbook?

Would you enjoy having 4 uninterrupted hours to scrapbook, with other people who understand adoption?

This is a fun evening of Scrapbooking and Socializing with other Adoptive or Waiting parents.  Participants enjoy working in a fully equipped studio, with over 2000 rubber stamps, 60 colours of ink pads, cutting tools and punches.  Men, women and children over 12 (accompanied by a parent or caregiver) are welcome.  During the evening, there will be stamping demonstrations, scrapbooking layout ideas, and adoption resource sharing.  Coffee, tea, and snacks will be served.

Adoption Scrapbooking Night is held on the last Friday of every month, from 6- 10 pm. 

Sign up early as space is limited to 10 participants.  Call Lorraine at (416) 418-2787.

Adoption Announcements & Invitations

Announce to friends and family the new addition to your family.  Celebrate your adoption.  Invite friends to celebrate with you by making your own personalized invitations to mark key events like “Gotcha day” or other special occasions.  Participants will learn how to make beautiful hand-crafted adoption announcements, invitations, and greeting cards.  Participants will complete 3-4 different projects using rubber stamping and card making techniques. 

Reserve early as space is limited to 10 participants.

Lifebook classes for kids & parents

Parents will be working with their child to create a lifebook together.  Topics covered include: 

• The day I was born. 
• The place I was born. 
• My tummy mummy. 
• My parents. 
• The people in my world. 
• All about me. 

Each class will have pre-designed projects and layouts that are prepared in advance.  The artistic creations come from you and your child.  The workshop incorporates principals of art therapy, attachment, and play therapy.    

This workshop consists of 4 classes, from 6:30- 8 pm over 4 weeks.

Registration is limited to 5 families (one parent per child).  Participants will be matched with similar age groups of children. This class is open to children ages 4 to 12.

Dates: Contact Lorraine Franco-Sham to get a list of next available dates.