From “Bragelina” to the family next door, adoption is everywhere these days. I recently wrote a series of articles for Regarding Nannies on the topic. These blog posts are reprinted from there. I highly encourage you to check out their website. It is chock-full of great tips for not only nannies but any parent!!
It is very common for a nanny to work for a family that has adopted or is in the process of adopting a child. Being a nanny and adoptive mom myself, I have a unique view of it. In the next few weeks I will be sharing a little of my experience as well as the experience of a few other nannies, hoping to help you – my nanny friends understand the motivation behind adoption and learn some ways you can better support the adoptive families you might work for.
Books are a great way to introduce children to new ideas and events without ever having to experience them. I love to take a trip to the library every time my children and charges begin to explore something and pick up a few books on the topic. It has helped many children in my charge transition to new things.
Naturally I find books are a fantastic way to help children understand adoption to be both normal and wonderful. Very young children will not understand there is anything different or unique about being adopted but as he or she grows and sees other families, they might start to wonder and ask questions. Children’s books range from helping with single families, multiracial families, same-sex parents, international and foster families. The books listed below are just a few of my personal favorites and the favorites of a few adoptive parents and nannies I talked with. I hope you find them helpful.
A Mother for Choco
God Found us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Laura J. Bryant - good for closed adoptions and religious - another favorite of mine (ages 4-8)
I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose A Lewis and Jane Dyer – good for foreign adoption (ages 2-4)
Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado – not specifically for adoption but is universal and religious (ages 4-8)
You are My I Love You by Maryann K. Cusimano- not specifically for adoption but is universal (ages 4-8)
Did My First Mother Love Me by Kathryn Ann Miller- good for children that begin to ask questions about adoption (ages 5-10)
Shaoey and Dot by Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman – good for foreign adoption and religious (ages 4-8)
Shades of Black by Sandra L. and Myles C Pinkney- not about adoption but good for white parents with children with darker skin (ages 4-10)
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis – not specifically for aboption but works well (ages 2 -4)
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury – not specifically about adoption but works well (ages 4-8)
A Personal Touch of Adoption collected by Berlin Peter - collection of stories about real adoptions (ages 4-12)
Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman – good for children in foster care (ages 4-8)
I don’t have many suggestions of books for teens and young adults about dealing with the stress they have so please feel free to comment on the post if you do!!!
Even if you don’t work for or have a family grown through adoption these are great books to check out. All children would do well to understand adoption a little better. I hope you take a trip to the library and find some of your favorites.
Families grown through foreign adoption
Families grown through private adoption
Families grown through public adoption
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