Trauma. Goodness, there is A LOT behind that small six-letter word. As a caregiver, it’s your job to create a safe and healing space for your child, but what does that look like? What if you haven’t even scratched the surface on all this “trauma stuff”?
You are not alone.
Many parents of kids from hard places feel this same way. You are in a great place—a place of willingness to learn! These are our favorite trauma resources! You will walk away from each of these resources feeling more understanding of trauma, your child, and equipped to walk through this healing journey with them.
Confessions of an Adoptive Parent: Hope and Help from the Trenches of Foster Care and Adoption
By Mike Berry
“Adopting or fostering a child brings its own unique set of challenges only another parent facing the same uphill climb could possibly understand. From parenting children with traumatic pasts, to dealing with attachment issues, to raising a child with special needs, it can sometimes be a struggle just getting through the day.”
Buy it on Amazon →
The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family
by Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine
“The adoption of a child is always a joyous moment in the life of a family. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family—and addressing their special needs—requires care, consideration, and compassion.
“Written by two research psychologists specializing in adoption and attachment, The Connected Child will help you build bonds of affection and trust with your adopted child, effectively deal with any learning or behavioral disorders, and discipline your child with love without making him or her feel threatened.”
Buy it on Amazon →
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
By Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
“Especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth.”
Buy it on Amazon →
Wounded Children, Healing Homes: How Traumatized Children Impact Adoptive and Foster Families
By Jayne E. Schooler, Betsy Keefer Smalley, and Timothy J. Callahan
“Why doesn’t our child return our love? What are we failing to understand? What are we failing to do? These questions can fill the minds of adoptive parents caring for wounded, traumatized children. Families often enter into this experience with high expectations for their child and for themselves but are broadsided by shattered assumptions. This book addresses the reality of those unmet expectations and offers validation and solutions for the challenges of parenting deeply traumatized and emotionally disturbed children.”
Buy it on Amazon →
We hope that this list gave you something new to read that you will not only learn from, but that will help you as you continue on your foster care journey.
We also want to make sure that your children have something to read! So, we wrote a children’s book series specifically for children in foster care—the Who Loves series!
The Who Loves Series
Written by Jami Kaeb | Illustrated by Leslie Anne
We know that children in foster care typically have many individuals moving in and out of their lives. This constant change can lead to the false belief that no one loves them.
This three-part series is designed specifically to give children a different perspective on the people they interact with while they are in foster care. Each person shows love and attention in different ways by doing their job or providing protection. We want your children to know that they are loved.
Buy the series →
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