Ok, so you have found my blog.
And it’s quite obviously your favorite blog, especially on the topics of foster care and adoption…
But you want MORE!
Well, I can give you more! I’m not an expert, but I’m an avid reader and I want to share with you some of the books and resources that I have found super helpful to me on my journey through foster care.
** This post does contain affiliate links, which means that if you order any of the books that I link, I get a small compensation.
((Which also means that you should totally order these books directly from my links because you know you want to help a girl out))
Books with a Christian Perspective on FC/Adoption:
“Faith to Foster” by TJ and Jenn Menn. This memoir is a MUST READ for anyone who is interested in fostering, who is fostering or who is playing a support role in the life of foster parents. Not only do they record their own experiences of foster care, but they give incredible advice and takeaways behind the events that happen in the foster care world.
Books (Informational):
I loved reading these informational-type books (think: Adoption is for Dummies type book), because they seemed to give such a great overview from lots of different perspectives).
To the End of June (Chris Beam)
(super boring, but really informational about older youth who age out of the foster care system. Very secular perspective)
Falling Free (Shannan Martin) This book will simply challenge your faith and encourage you to do hard things. In so many ways, that was foster care for me. God doesn’t call us to make comfortable lives on here on earth, and in so many ways I need to be stepping out in faith to what God has called us to. This book really challenged and encouraged me in that, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The Connected Child
Books/Novels/Biographies/Memoirs:
A Child Called “It”, A Man named Dave (super hard and heavy read. You will weep. A very detailed memoir into the abuses that a child suffered under his biological Mom, and then his next 12 years in the foster care system. Since he was in the system in the 80s, things have changed a lot since then and it isn’t necessarily an accurate view of what foster care looks like now, but it is a good read to open your eyes to the abuses that children suffer both before entering the system and while in the system).
Garbage Bag Suitcase (Shenendoah Chefalo). A memoir of a girl growing up in an abuse home who eventually checked herself into foster care. She chronicles not only the abuses she suffered, but also her deep desire for attachment and love (which she never found until her adult life). It’s also a must-read.
Orphan Train (Christina Kline). This is a fabulous read that gives insight not only into what it’s like being a teen foster child, but also what it was like being on The Orphan Train of America’s past.
The Language of Flowers (Vanessa Diffenbaugh). Although this novel is not focused too much on the actual world of foster care, it does give so much insight into what happens to a young girl aging out of the foster care system. Throughout the beautiful and intriguing story, you also catch glimpses into the pain and heartache that a foster child goes through when have been abandoned over and over. The trust issues run deep, and this story is no exception. It’s beautiful, and even if you aren’t into plants or flowers, you will find yourself absolutely fascinated by them throughout this story!
Blogs:
As you know, I read a lot of blogs! These are some of my favorites, and are very informational and give some great glimpses into the foster care world.
http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/ (Kristen adopted her two boys from the foster care system. She also has two biological children and blogs A LOT about race and other controversial/hot topics in the media. She posts about a lot of other things, too!)
https://droppinganchorsblog.com/ (One of the best foster care blogs you will find. It’s written by several different foster Moms who compile blog posts. Super helpful!)
http://www.nobohnsaboutit.com/ (My FAVORITE. She’s hilarious. She adopted her two oldest from foster care, and always has an amazing perspective on the situation)
Websites:
Questions?
If you have any questions at all about foster care or adoption from foster care as I go through this series, please don’t hesitate to ask. You can leave a comment or send an email. At the end of the series, I will have a Q&A day and will be answering any questions I receive throughout the month.
Previous posts:
Day 1: Introduction
Day 2: Meet the Hines
Day 3: Shop Feature: Karla Storey
Day 4: Why We Chose to Foster
Day 5: The Process
Day 6: The Cast of Characters
Day 7: The Paperwork
Day 8: The Goal is Reunification
Day 9: Reflections
Day 10: Shop Feature: Ransomed Cuffs
Day 11: The Placement
Day 12: The Daily Life
Day 13: The Extra’s
Day 14: Bonding
Day 15: The Goodbye
Day 16: Reflection
Day 17: Shop Feature: Together we Rise
Day 18: Finances
Day 19: Rules
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Awwww friend! You are my favorite too 🙂 I am so glad we connected in this wild blogging world!