This book is total garbage; Would not recommend.

The book is filled with contradictions. It's obvious the author isn't trauma informed. The second to last chapter he openly admits to forcing a barley aged out foster child out of his home because she refused to go to church, and jokes about his wife turning off the hot water on the child while she was in the shower.

14 people found this helpful

Where’s the hope?

This might be worth reading if you are considering foster care and want to hear a bunch of worst case scenarios to prepare yourself, but he offers no practical advice. This guy needs to see a therapist to deal with his issues, and the difficulties of raising traumatized foster children. In his defense, he was probably underprepared, undertrained, and under supported by the system.

6 people found this helpful

Right on

Yes, yes, yes was all I kept thinking throughout this book. Real and refreshing. He gets it and says it like it is. Highly recommend this to any foster or adoptive parent.

4 people found this helpful

What a waste of my time.

It was hard to finish this book. The author made it seem like there is almost no happiness in fostering or adoption and that the only way to survive is by having faith in God. Faith is great but there was no real practical advice given. What is really the point of this book?

1 person found this helpful

Yes! JUST WHAT I NEEDED!

This book spoke to me! It was JUST what I needed! I cant count the times that I was listening to this book and started to cry. If you are exploring fostercare/adoption or have done it- READ THIS BOOK.

1 person found this helpful

Honest, even when it's hard

Have you ever read a book that paints adoption as all sunshine and roses? Well this book isn't that. Berry paints a starkly honest picture of what adoption and foster care really look like. Day-to-day and year-to-year. But it's not all bleak. Amidst hard truths and exhausting stories, he ties in a strand of hope that has kept his family going and, he hopes, will be just what you and yours need as well.

1 person found this helpful

So Good, So True

I’m a foster adoptive parent, and this book helped and resonated with me in a big way. I highly recommend it.

1 person found this helpful

A reminder that we aren't alone in this

Would you listen to Confessions of an Adoptive Parent again? Why?

Yes. It was super helpful to hear the stories of another foster/adoptive parent who have gone through very similar things as I have. Just the reminder that I'm not alone made this book one worth listening to again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book tells stories, for sure, but because they're real life anecdotes and fairly short, it's hard to just pick a favorite "character." However, I do really resonate with Mike's experiences and the things he had to say.

What does Lloyd James bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He does exactly what you want out from a narrator of a non-fiction book: you don't even notice him. He does a great job of presenting the book in such a way that draws attention to the book's content and not himself. He doesn't distract with a monotonous tone or strange pronunciations.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Pretty much the whole book was moving in that I could relate so much to what Mike had to say. Being a foster/adoptive parent is incredibly difficult, but there's hope for the future and we are not alone in this journey. And the journey is worth it.

Any additional comments?

The only flaw is that the book is pretty repetitive. I find that Mike repeats many of the same stories or thoughts throughout the book. They're not bad stories or thoughts, just repetitive.

1 person found this helpful

God's perfect timing - This book rescued me

I fostered to adopted my beautiful daughter, now almost 14. I've always leaned on the strict but loving side when raising her. I used to think she'd never cross me. Attitude, not doing what she's told, sure, but nothing major. Well yesterday she decided to run away🤦‍♂️. I was so angry, when I was looking for her, however this book was playing, and I was listing to Mr. Berry talking about how to approach your children. My rage totally went away, and regardless of all the hateful things she said when I found her, I stayed calm, and tried to listen to her. I was missing something, and she told me. Under the hateful words was a powerful message a child was trying to communicate, but since she doesn't have adult like communication skills, she did the only thing she knew how to do to send a message. God put this book in front of me, and it may have saved a life. Thank You Mike and Kristen Berry for opening up your life, to save ours!

Just what I needed!

Thank you for writing this! It was just what I needed! Narration was excellent. Thank you