anyone currently working on a lifebook for an internationally adopted child?

We have just begun the process of adopting 2 children from the Rep. of Panama. I am wanting to start a lifebook for them but don't know if I should start now or wait until a referal. I began a baby book for my son using mostly "Creative Memories" stuff. Is a lifebook done in the same fashion, with all the stickers and borders??? I am really at a loss. I checked out your website and it seems to be great. If you have any tips please let me know. Thanks CCM

Well, a lifebook can be mean different things to different people. I've seen lifebooks refer to the "autobiographical" information that potential domestic adopters put together for perusal by the birthmother. When I refer to lifebooks, I'm usually talking about the story of a child's life before the time of adoption placement with the family. It includes information about the child's birth, birth parents and siblings, town (or country for international adoptees) of birth, foster environments or orphanage memories and caregivers, etc., and usually ends with placement. It is told from the perspective of the child and is written specifically to help build a foundation for all of the adoption questions and conversations that come later. It should be factual and up front. So, in the sense that one part of the lifebook deals with the country of birth, you could begin assembling information on the republic of Panama and prepare those pages before referral. If you know specifics as to what region your children will be living, you could try to find pictures or other web graphics that are from there, including a map. The bulk of your work will begin once you have your referrals. Part of my web site has tips and articles and other information for creating lifebooks. Maybe it will help you. The URL for that page and collection of links is: [url]http://www.scrapandtell.com/LifebookTips.html[/url] Good luck! :)

with my son, i bought a paper mache box and decopauged (sp?) pictures of him all over it and wrote his name and birth date on it. i kept everything i thought might be important to him (outfit he arrived in, pictures, socks he wore at the hospital when he had a minor surgery ect). this was to travel with him as he was a foster child. now that i am going to adopt him, it is great keepsake! i also have a creative memory type scrapbook.

mckenna, the paper mache box sounds very nice! Congratulations on your adoption! Jennifer

I just started working on my son's scrapbook and he's 3 1/2. I have lots of catching up to do. It took me so long to get started because I'm not the most creative person. I have to be "inspired." I began doing his scrapbook like most others, and have been blessed to find some adoption related stickers and poems. Those can be hard to find; Until I found this thread. :) I did my first pages at a scrapbooking party with some friends, and it was great to see what they had done to get ideas. I did about 5 pages at the party, and then came home and did 5 more in just a matter of 3-4 days. I've been trying to figure out how I was going to save things like his first (preschool) valentine's and his blanket from the adoption agency, and etc. The paper mache box is great idea for those kinds of things. I wouldn't have thought of that on my own. Right now we're waiting on a referral (from Guat.) for our daughter, and I've all ready started collecting things for her book. Now that we've been through the adoption process once and I've started my son's book, I'm getting better at recognizing items that we'll want to keep for her book. Thanks for the Great Ideas.

I am working on my sons scrap book he is 3 and we ar still in the adoption process.I started with the first picture i recieved of him.I am working very slow on it.Maybe bye the time he gets home it will be completed.my scrap book is baby book from time of adoption process on.I took a big shoe box and decorated it up for things when he gets home.i used scrap book pieces on the box.the paper mache box sounds like a great idea.

This is an awesome idea! My husband and I are just starting to explore adoption as a way to "grow" our family. I was planning to keep a journal documenting my thoughts/feelings, but the Lifebook will be wonderful too! We have two biological daughters with special Baby books, so we would want something similar for our new daughter, thanks for the ideas!

:D As soon as we "passed" the homestudy in early Jan., I started seriously planning the lifebook. Since I am beginning to learn more about scrapbooking, this lifebook will have all the borders, stickers, fancy paper, etc. I bought a box with velvet like material all over it. Inside it came with a heirloom looking scrapbook and folder. We are adopting from China so copies of some of the paperwork will be in the envelope. The scrapbook will have stories of our journey written from my perspective and from my husband's. I'm also going to round up family photos. We even took pictures of us running all over Manhattan yesterday getting our paperwork authenticated! A scrapbook store often has stickers related to a particular country. I found some for China. I think the road you take to your child will be facinating for he or she in years to come. :D Jessica

I am just starting to gather information on the adoption process. My goal is to have an agency picked out by the end of September. I think starting a scrapbook will symbolize my paper pregnancy. It will be a wonderful outlet for all of my feelings that I am feeling about meeting my daughter or son.