Guest Author - Rebecca Wilson

Lifebook is a popular buzz word in the adoption community, but it is something that can be created for any child in any situation. A lifebook is similar to a scrapbook done in a story telling format. I first learned the lifebook concept when we were preparing to adopt our oldest son, but I soon realized how special they are to all children regardless of their history.

All children have questions about their past. Even in my thirties, I still ask my mom questions about my earliest years. A lifebook is one way to have it all in one place for a child to view and read at any time. In situations where there are details that are difficult to talk about, the lifebook can help explain or help begin a conversation. The intent of the lifebook is to tell about your daughter's life from the very beginning, even if you don't know the intimate details of her birth.

A lifebook offers a non-threatening, factual way to share your daughter's story. It is written in such a way that she is valued and the information is matter-of-fact. Your emotions and thoughts are not written, only facts. Scrapbooking is a medium for sharing your own point of view and feelings; lifebooks are for sharing information, usually written as a story about the child.

For very young children, you will need to do much of the writing yourself, but try to include your daughter as soon as she is able to communicate and draw. She can help with pasting photos, drawing pictures, and she can help write her own narrative. You can include just about anything you would put into a typical scrapbook: newspaper clippings, copy of her birth certificate, photos, drawings, airline tickets, etc.

Keep your daughter's lifebook in a safe but easily accessible location. If she would prefer to store it in a private location, honor her request. Encourage your daughter to look at her lifebook whenever she wants. Her desire to look back her past and read about her story may wax and wane over the weeks, months or years, which is normal.

Lifebooks do not require you to be creative or artistic. They merely require that you collect items and write down your daughter's story. Everything can be kept in a 3-ring binder with the pages tucked into archival quality plastic page protectors. The point is to get the information down on to paper so your daughter can read it or have it read to her any time.

For more information about creating a lifebook for your daughter, you can read these books available through your local library, local bookstore or Amazon. Although they are about creating a lifebook for an adopted or foster child, you can apply the information in any situation.

LifeBooks : Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child

Adoption Lifebook : A Bridge to Your Child's Beginnings