Online resources

[topcat2014]

What are everyone's favourite online resources to use?

I have watched some youtube videos, and bought kindle books, but I am sure I am probably missing something good.

I have looked on First4Adoption - a while back.

For context we are now doing stage 2 prep course.

Hi top cat. I'm still in stage 1 but if it's any help I too tend to make use of YouTube. I find adoption documentaries a little hard to find but there are some on there - I found a couple good documentaries that were very old (as in 1980s vhs old!) But actually still v relevant in terms of feelings emotions brought up. I also try to watch blogs of couples adopting. Frustratingly many of them are American where they at privately adopting babies from hospital so not so relatable but I do like some videos from a blogger called Papa Stig that I found who is a UK blogger.

I tend to just do a lot of googling - I've managed to find pdf workbooks for a couple of agencies (not mine) but find them useful to look at for the recommended reading lists and occasionally I've gone off and ordered the book.

I'm afraid I'm quite traditional in that I like a good book so I have bought quite a few paper books. Probably the most helpful has been What to Expect When You're Adopting and the Sally Donovan No Matter What although if you read her books do take with a pinch of salt as her adoptive children have particularly intense needs and I dont always 100% agree with her parenting ethos but very useful for a realistic (if hard hitting) insight into an adoptive household.

I haven't read it yet but I've just bought "First steps in parenting the child who hurts" which is an illustrated book made for adoption uk which seems to get good reviews and is very practical. I've found some books especially about attachment can be quite clinical/academic so I try to find things that are more about real tips and advice.

Finally I did have a thought the other day that understandably it can be easy to focus all parenting resources through the adoption lens but sumx I actually just find it helpful to look at more general parenting mags and forums as its all useful

Thanks @teekay88!

Yes, videos are really useful - there's a list here. www.newfamilysocial.org.uk/resources/meet-the-family/documentaries-on-adoption-and-fostering/

And I've bought lots of books too. Netflix is a thing of a past as all my spare time is based on learning about adoption! I also recommend the two Sally Donovan books (do her children have intense needs? That's good to know!) and I have Preparing For Adoption by Julia Davis (not read it yet).

There are quite a few bloggers and podcasts too. Keep Googling and you'll find things x

www.creatingafamily.org runs a radioshow/podcast on adoption. The one hour shows consist of interviews with experts on adoption related topics. I found listening to she shows incredibly helpful. They are free and can be downloaded from the website or iTunes.

Every other week they do a show on infertility, you can ignore those shows.

suddenlymummy.blogspot.com/