Hand-made quilts given to Georgian orphans, below 
What is a Life Book?
A life book is a scrapbook that tells the story of a child's life -- specifically their birth and adoption. There are several excellent resources (see below) for these family history/teaching tools. But creating a life book can be a difficult task, because it includes the concepts of an original birthfamily and a new, "forever family." One GCOF mother shares her plan for their family's lifebook:
I wrestled with what to include in my two Georgian angels' life books. Here's what I finally created:
- The Big Life Book: One big scrapbook with ALL original photos of our adoption trip and copies of ALL adoption documents (original documents in lockbox).
- Everyday Life Book: A smaller scrapbook for everyday use, with color copies of pages from the Big Adoption Book, chosen for the kids' current ages, laminated & spiral bound for current use.
- The Big Georgia Book: One big scrapbook about Georgia, with photos from our trip but no personal info, to be used for school. From the moment I completed this book, it has been one of the kids’ favorite books in our library.”
Life Book Resources
- Adoptive Family Magazine has many excellent articles on life books and adoption stories
- Adoption Lifebook: A Bridge to Your Child's Beginnings by Cindy Prolost
- Adoption Lifebooks e-Group: EMK Press hosts a network of information, resources and insightful ideas for understanding why to create an adoption lifebook, how to get past the stumbling blocks to start, discussions on handling difficult information and what to talk about when
- Lifebooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child by Beth O'Malley
- This is me! Memories to Gather and Keep by Gloria Finkbeiner
How Do I Deal with Difficult Information?
Confused about how to explain (often confusing and difficult) adoption stories? On one point all experts and experienced parents agree: tell the truth, and tell it in an age-appropriate way. Other thoughts:
- You might decide to delay telling some details like a birthmother’s rape or the existence of siblings who stayed with the birthfamily.
- But don’t delay forever. This is your child’s story, and he/she deserves to know everything you know.
- Your child will pick up on your emotions regarding their birth and adoption, even if you don’t consciously recognize them.
- Many adults who’ve been adopted as children tell us that the main issue they wrestled with was shame, if they experienced secrecy surrounding their adoption.
Pork for sale, below |
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Lunchtime at a favorite local restaurant, below |
Left: Egyptian-like frieze in the market (note Fanta sign) 
