Must Reads
InBrief: The Science of Neglect (Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child)
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma (Bessel van der Kolk MD)
The Power of Showing Up (Daniel J. Siegel, MD & Tina Payne Bryson, PhD)
All That You Can Ever Know (Nicole Chung)
No Sugar Coating: The Coffee Talk You Need About Foster Parenting (Jillana Goble)
To The End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care (Cris Beam)
The Connected Child (Karyn Purvis et al)
Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today’s Parents (Deborah Gray et al)
The Primal Wound (Nancy Newton Verrier)
Should Reads
Three Little Words: A Memoir (Ashley Rhodes-Courter)
Three More Words (Ashley Rhodes-Courter)
20 Things Adoptive Children Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew (Sherrie Eldridge)
Winning the Heart of Your Child (Mike Berry)
Kids’ Books
Tommy’s 2 Mommies (MaLisa Riley, Roey Cancio)
Picture Books Celebrating Black Identity & Black Excellence
Parenting Tools
Parenting Teens
3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager
Articles
Books, Articles & Blogs Offering Insight from the Perspective of Former Foster Youth and/or Adult Adoptees
It is vital for foster parents to hear from people who lived the experience of foster care and/or adoption. The following resources are produced by former foster youth and/or adult adoptees. I strongly urge foster and adoptive parents to listen and learn from them:
The Adopted Life
While this is an important resource for gaining insight into any adoptee’s experience, it is particularly helpful in trying to gain perspective on trans-racial adoption.
YouTube @ StephiRaye
Steph entered foster care as an adolescent and eventually aged out after a disrupted adoption. Her insight is invaluable to foster parents. (Watch all of her Foster Care Experience playlist.)
Children’s Rights (website)
Through strategic advocacy and legal action, Children’s Rights holds governments accountable for keeping kids in foster care safe and healthy. Click here to see some of their foster care reform efforts.
Fostering the Future (website)
A web resource amplifying the voices of former foster youth. This site contains links to many other blogs and web sites.
Three Little Words: A Memoir (Ashley Rhodes-Courter)
All You Can Ever Know (Nicole Chung)
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew (Sherrie Eldridge)
Are You Anti-Adoption is Like Asking Are you Anti-Amputation? (Mila, The Lost Daughters)
Other Resources I Find Helpful
Time Timer Visual Timer – very important part of routines!
The Forgotten Initiative Podcast
Below is a list of web sites, blogs, organizations and social media accounts I have found very helpful. Some relate directly to foster care, while others are broader than just foster care, yet still very relevant and informative. This is just a very small fraction of what is available, but these are the places that have been particularly helpful to me!
The Post Institute: Solutions for Parenting Challenging Children
A fantastic resource! I have learned so much about parenting children who come from trauma here—their materials are spot on. Follow them on YouTube as well.
Confessions of an Adoptive Parent
Lots of insight into the challenges and joys of parenting children from hard places. Great insight into caring for children affected by in-utero drug and alcohol exposure.
The Refresh Conference
A rich time of teaching, encouragement and community with hundreds of foster and adoptive parents.
Positive Parenting Solutions*
By far, my favorite parenting training program. While the approach is not specifically trauma-informed, the philosophy and practice of this program supports trauma-informed parenting. (*Affiliate Link)
The PATCH Program/Northwest Trauma Counseling
If you are in the Pacific Northwest and are in need of counseling for your child or your family, I highly recommend this place and the program they have developed.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) | Trauma-Informed Parenting
TBRI® is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children.
Learning About Yourself via the Enneagram
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” [Disclaimer Credit: Michael Hyatt]
afosteredlife.com 