Books & Lectures
Rivers Hatchett Teske, Founder & President of Hidden Choices, Inc. knows firsthand what it is like to grow up without a father in the early years of life and then to live in a blended family. It does not take experts to tell us that divorce is brutal and split families leave a lifetime of emotional hurts. Just ask children. At 5 years old Rivers' birth father left her mother and 3 small children for a single life. The the 50s there was truly a shameful stigma about not having a father around and being raised by a single mother. The struggle became even more painful as her toddler brother contracted spinal meningitis and they had to move in with grandparents across town. Eventually, her mother remarried and a wonderful new dad came into her life.
Passionate about fatherless children and devoted to help children and adults heal from pastor traumas of divorce, abandonment and embarrassment, she recommends books that address the issues of adoption, step families, blended families, single parenting and more...stay tuned! She is writing her own book on the subject!
Hidden Choices recommends these books on ADOPTION. You will find a short description of each to help you find the perfect book for yourself or as a gift to an adoptive couple.
Meditation For Adoptive Parents - Inspiring tips & thoughtful advice for "forever families" written by an adoptive parents.
Adopting For Good - This book is for families considering adoption or in the early stages of building an adoptive family, there is much good advice, beginning with discussions of the healthiest motivations for wanting to adopt, and acceptance of the "foundational realities" surrounding the experience. Facts vs. myths or inter-country adoptions, The Hague Convention, adopting teens and more. Excellent resource for reference.
Adoptees Come of Age - Compelling and sensibly written about stories of adult adoptees. Author has a pastoral counseling view, although religious overtones are not used.
Parenting The Hurt Child - Offers direction and excellent information to parents who are adopting children who have been abused and suffered trauma before adoption. Keck & Kupecky explore how parents can help by outling changes in adoption and fostering procedures and use case studies to document the various issues of control, attachment disorders as well as many parenting techniques.
How It Feels To Be Adopted - Based on personal interviews of adopted children between the ages of 8 and 16. Their true stories are thought provoking as they share family experiences, feelings and attitudes of being adopted. Each is unique, as every story is, from the curiosity and anger towards biological parents, whether they search for them or not, feelings of rejection and abandonment. For some, adoption is a minor part of the picture. If you are an adoptive parent, this is a must read in understanding the deep emotions of a child.
The Adoption Resource Book - A comprehensive and practical how to guideline on adoption issues from forms and expected paperwork to International adoptions. In its 4th edition, the author continues to find new information she can include on subsequent editions. This is a must on your reading list!
Jo Jo A Tiny Story Of Faith - A moving, heartfelt book that will bring you to tears. It is well worth the read. (Bookstores sell for $20)
The Whole Life Adoption Book - An excellent source on attachment trauma and dealing with children in their teens. Good advice for couples starting the process and reassuring to parents of adoptive children.
How To Guides On Parenting Step Families – Recommended by Hidden Choices
The Smart Step Family – 7 Steps To A Healthy Family addresses the complex issues and challenges of life surrounding the blended family. Topics such as marriage, second marriages with children, parenting roles and differences, toxic divorces and ex-spouses, child support, divided loyalties are addressed. With the divorce rate at 74% for second marriages with children, couples must face not only the normal challenges of life but also of two – four family dynamics. Gives a realistic and “straight talk” expectation of family bonding. along with all the other normal challenges of life and marriage.
Winning The Heart Of Your Step Child - A great guideline for blended families addressing real life situations and everyday experiences of complex issues from divorce and remarriage. If you are a single parent about to marry, already married and have stepchildren or just want to explore possibilities, you will want to read this book from cover to cover and keep for reference. Because children must process so many thoughts and emotions during parent’s separation adults must learn “HOW TO” interpret the behaviors and feelings.
I'm Not Your Kid: A Christian's Guide to a Healthy Stepfamily (Paperback) God helps us overcome hardship and grief. This book offers a mountain of experience, an eye-opening and inspiring wisdom and experience on many subjects and issues surrounding the Stepfamily. God uses imperfect families every day, because there are no perfect people in the world. You will want to keep this in your library.
Gathering the Missing Pieces in an Adopted Life - The author's successful search for her birth family brought answers to questions she had wanted to know since childhood. Anyone who has been connected in the adoption process – the child, the birth parents and the adoptive parents know the challenges and pitfalls of the missing pieces. Ms. Moore features the stories of over sixty people – herself included – and helps address the many questions that arise in children and adoptive families. Excellent guide.
ADOPTIVE PARENTS BOOKS
SINGLE PARENTING BOOKS
CHRISTIAN LIVING / SPIRITUAL GROWTH & HEALING
Top of Page
Print This Page
