Resources

Searching for the You We Adore

General enough to read to children adopted domestically or internationally, and specific enough to lead your children to believe it was written just for them. It's a story of a family's journey and unconditional love and a must have for every adoptive family. Available exclusively through The Sparrow Fund.

A Lifelong Love: What If Marriage Is about More Than Just Staying Together?

lifelong loveA Lifelong Love is our current favorite book on marriage. While there is nothing in this book about adoption, it's a book we strongly recommend for adoptive couples. Thomas' focus on benevolent love and the intimate relationship that only a husband and wife share will encourage adoptive parents who are in the thick of things to press on to fulfill their calling well and to do that together.

No Drama Discipline

no drama disciplineSo many of us parent on autopilot, parenting and correcting our children from a place of what "comes naturally," whatever our bent is. No Drama Discipline challenges us to parent intentionally, to consider more carefully what we are doing and how we can enhance it to pursue our children in relationship even as we train (and therefore correct) them. While this is book is helpful for all parents, Siegel is one of the leading experts on the effects of trauma, making his methods and suggestions especially helpful for adoptive parents. And, we think you'll find that really considering what is here about compassion and attunement will benefit all your relationships.

Parenting From the Inside Out

parenting from the inside outWhile it may be a challenging read with lots of research included, the content of Dan Siegel's Parenting From The Inside Out is worth the commitment. Readers may come to this book hoping to learn how to better parent their child; they'll finish having felt like they have a deeper understanding of themselves as well as their child. Siegel and Hartzell explain how our own histories impact how we approach all relationships, especially those with our children.

I Love You Rituals

I Love You RitualsThough not designed specifically for adopted children, in I Love You Rituals, Dr. Becky Bailey shares great ideas in here for attachment activities that are fun, nonthreatening to the child or parent, and easy to do. Great resource for before you unite with your child and for the first 6 months together regardless of the age of your child.

The Connected Child

The Connected ChildThe Connected Child is a must read for all adoptive families regardless of faith background. Dr. Karyn Purvis, a former foster parent, is devoted to developing research-based interventions for at-risk children, children from "hard places." When asked what role her faith plays in her work, she answered, "Knowing His love and grace is central to how we approach this work with at-risk children. My prayer in working with children is that when they look into our eyes, they will see the adoring love of our Heavenly Father." Furthermore, Created to Connect: A Christian's Guide to The Connected Child, by Dr. Karyn Purvis with Michael and Amy Monroe, was written to help illuminate the biblical principles that serve as the foundation for the philosophy and interventions detailed in The Connected Child. Download the study guide free here to go along with the text.

Adoption Parenting

Adoption ParentingKeep Adoption Parenting on your shelf for those times you have a question about a particular topic and know that asking your friends who do not understand the impact of adoption may not be 100% helpful. Over 100 contributors discuss topics including sleep, attachment, language, food, baggage, discipline, loss and grief, transitions, siblings, narratives, learning, school, race, older child adoption, challenges, support, and therapy among many others.

Adopted For Life

adopted for life thumbnailFor preadoptive families, adoptive families, and any one interested in better understanding adoption from a biblical worldview. In Adopted for Life, Russell Moore helps readers understand that it is the gospel that calls us to adopt as well as teaches us how to understand adoption. In fact, “as we become more adoption-friendly, we’ll be better able to understand the gospel.” If you want one book to give to family members to help them understand your call to adopt, this is the one. Read it first then give copies to them and allow it to open up significant dialogue about the Lord's call to care for the fatherless as well as our standing as adopted into the family of God.