Before I start this post: Blogger has gotten wonky on me again--if I haven't commented on your blog lately--it won't let me if there isn't an Anonymous or Name/URL option--not sure why and it's really annoying, but there you have it. I want to, just can't!! OK, back to regular programming:
We are using this waiting period as an opportunity to accomplish things that I know we won’t be able to once children (finally!) come into our lives--things like attempting to live on one income (umm, not sure about that one—gah!) and reading, reading, reading about adoption, Ethiopia, raising children, etc. Would love input from others on the best adoption resources/childrearing resources out there—what has really worked for you, and what has not? Our library is fairly scanty at this point, but I’d love to expand it in a meaningful way. And I’m not just thinking adoption, although of course that’s a major focus, but also looking for other books or resources that are especially effective.
We are using this waiting period as an opportunity to accomplish things that I know we won’t be able to once children (finally!) come into our lives--things like attempting to live on one income (umm, not sure about that one—gah!) and reading, reading, reading about adoption, Ethiopia, raising children, etc. Would love input from others on the best adoption resources/childrearing resources out there—what has really worked for you, and what has not? Our library is fairly scanty at this point, but I’d love to expand it in a meaningful way. And I’m not just thinking adoption, although of course that’s a major focus, but also looking for other books or resources that are especially effective.
What we have:
Parenting the Internationally Adopted Child, by Patty Cogen
Adoption After Infertility, by Patricia Johnston
20 Things Adopted KidsWish Their Adoptive Parents Knew, by Sherrie Eldridge
E is for Ethiopia, by Ashenafi Gudeta, Ataklti Mulu, Betelhem Abate and Dama Boru
And, well, that’s about it. Oh, and I just got a subscription to Adoptive Families magazine. I’m thinking that at some point we should get something along the lines of What to Expect the First Year, but not just yet.
Other ideas? Children’s books? Ethiopian history books? Parenting books? Baby cookbooks? Websites? Music? Childrearing apps? (ok, just kidding on that last one—sort of).
Anyhoo, any input would be appreciated.
I loved:
ReplyDeleteWe Belong Together, Todd Farr
and
The Day We Met You, Phoebe Keller (I think).
Both wonderful additions to a nursery. My kids love them. and I'm having the same problem with blogger.
-A
Patty Cogen's book is the all-around best, I still look through it 3 years in. Good investment. We also like African Playground (music) and Cooking the East African Way, but be prepared for really spicy food.
ReplyDelete-Jean
What To Expect is a must-have. I also really like Parenting with Love and Logic. Great for 2 year olds.
ReplyDeletefor babies- the Happiest Baby on the Block seriously rescued us. Even helped with our colic baby a little bit, which is saying A LOT.
ReplyDeleteparenting with love and logic is awesome- great for the toddler stage.
best book on spiritual development that I've read is shepherding a child's heart by Ted Tripp.
Call me old-fashioned but I still think that the best gift we can give our children (adopted or biological) is a healthy marriage with our spouse. So, don't forget those too! : )
- Julia Leinen
www.jleinen.blogspot.com
(it's not letting me use my google account)
Happiest Baby is a great book. Cogen is good too. Believe me, you won't want to go back to work, so working on money stuff is an excellent way to spend the next year or so. :-)
ReplyDeleteHa! Looks like Blogger is acting up all around. I've been having trouble too and heard switching to the Chrome browser helps, but that just doesn't seem fair.
ReplyDeleteThe Cogen book is AWESOME. Hard to read sometimes, but very good. I'd definitely pick up AF magazine. I haven't read it, but heard very good things about "Toddler Adoption, The Weavers Craft." (I am assuming you're baby will be a toddler when he/she comes home, but maybe I'm wrong?) My favorite sleep book is "Sleep in America," lots of good ideas...and figuring out sleep is kind of trial and error IMO.
I am currently reading "Kids, Parents and Power Struggles" for raising my two and four yr old. Good stuff, it might be a bit premature for you.
Let me know if you want any Seattle-based resources for things like First Year Home groups (international adoptions) or family therapists once you get there. Your are so smart to be reading up on this stuff now!
I love "How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk." Nothing to do with adopted kids per se, but really sensible and wise, I think would work for any child, and using their techniques diffuses a lot of situations if you're consistent! (which sadly I'm not) Amy xxxx
ReplyDeleteCogen all the way!!!
ReplyDelete-Gail
I totally agree with Amy's recommendation - reading that one right now! Awesome. I wrote one of my friends a long email about my four favourite books - if you want to shoot me an email (write2claudia (at) gmail.com) I'll forward it to you if you like!
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