Customer Reviews

My Foster Care Journey: A foster/adoption lifebook

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a foster youth--17 yrs old, and have been in care, now for almost 4 yrs--however BEFORE they officially took me from my drug addicted, drunk, and verbally, sexually, physically, abusive mother and stepfather, I was in and out of care for about a year, year and a half. This book has given to me what none other has: a place of my own for MY story, MY autobiography...a place where I can be listened to and not told that I am a liar, a fake, an attention seeker...This book has enabled me to put a timeline to the events that occured in my life long ago--events which caused most of my entire past to be in a "blur". I reccommend this book for ANY and EVERY child in foster care and plan on telling my good friend about it who is, in fact, a foster parent. I pray that this book will help our future generation by helping foster youth to step up to the plate and TALK, VENT, WRITE--whatever they need to do to BREAK the horrible and vicious cycle of abuse. If you are a CSW, CCW, foster/adoptive parent(s), etc. I urge you to get this book!!!

Thank you, Ms O'Malley, because YOU have done something--not only for me, but for thousands of LOST, HURT, BETRAYED children out there, out here...THANK YOU, for giving US a chance to be listened to--when it seems that no one else in the world has time or a decent thing to say.

Finally, an empowering lifebook that is user friendly, non-intimidating, and geared toward the unique experiences of foster children. As a social worker who works with foster and adoptive parents in New York, I often get resistance around doing lifebooks. I won't anymore! "My Foster Care Journey" by Beth O'Malley allows for those difficult cases when we don't have much history before children come into foster care or when that history is painful. It uses a child's language to make sense of foster care while empowering children and celebrating their unique characteristics. It is written so that children can complete it, with a little help from adults in their lives. The process of completing this will be a "feel good" experience for children and adults alike. Foster parents, caseworkers, and therapists will find it easy to use and will recognize it as a tool for healing. Most importantly because it is easy to use, it will actually get completed. Doesn't every foster child deserve a lifebook? I love "My Foster Care Journey" and look forward to using it over and over again!

As I child who was in foster care 6+ years, I can see the value " My Foster Care Journey" provides. There are so many questions during this time of limbo. I believe it is important to have some sort of tangible reminder, for the child, of where they come from/who they are. Tracy Klein adoptd at age 10

I really *loved* this book (I accidentally posted this review for another book by Beth O'Malley, it's THIS book I was talking about). I wish there were even more end pages and more 'all about me' pages. OTOH, info on birthparents might be hard because a lot of times you don't have that much info on a parent, or no info at all. I think it's great that it says people can just rip out pages if they don't apply! I think it's a great idea. Some people don't have the time to put together all the special details. But his book does it all, in a nice way that kids can understand. It's a great job.

I am a child and adolescent therapist that is new to Lifebooks. I am so pleased that I stumbled upon this incredible resource as it has helped me tremendously! Not only does it stand on its own as a well written Lifebook, but it has also spurred the creativity within me. It is filled with so many wonderful ideas on how to help children express their thoughts and feelings about difficult issues. What an invaluable therapeutic tool and gift for our children. I'm so grateful to Ms. O'Malley for this wonderful Lifebook.

This book is beautiful. I've been telling people for more than 20 years that we have needed a lifebook like this. Finally, someone has listened.

Foster parents give so much to children. It's important to not only recognize the role they play, but also to record the touching moments and memories shared so that, when foster children grow up, they can look back with love and pride. Beth O'Malley's book will help accomplish these goals.

I love this book. I purchased 2, one for each child. I have used this book to track the first two years of their lives. It provided so many options of information. We are adopting our two foster children this summer so this will be something my children will look back on down the road. Thank you for this journal type life book. As a foster parent, I will use this book for each foster child in my care.

I love interactive books like these. The kids I deal with respond well to these books.

I like the cocept of the book, but it just looks like someone copied the pages on a copier. Anyone could take the book out of the rings that bind it and copy it for another child.

This book wasn't what I expected. It was okay but didn't really fit. After getting the book and filling lots out, my foster child went home and will never get to see the book.