All about Ilyas: A Story about Raising a Foster Child

by April Martin

Overview

I wonder what it would feel like to meet your family - your parents, siblings, aunts and uncles for the first time in the middle of your childhood? At a time when making friends, and being accepted is anxiety ridden and tenuous. What if you were damaged, fragile and angry? What if this was your last chance to be part of a family before being sent permanently to a group home for boys? This was not the life you chose, but was chosen for you.

This is our story. A story about a boy who was thrust into our family, through no choice of his own. And a story about a family with the desire to provide love and stability.

This book is about the foster system that spews out broken children which further displaces a child's sense of balance and stability.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632636805
Publisher:	Booklocker.com, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/30/2018
Pages:	186
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

April Martin has dedicated her life and career to the positive growth of of our most valuable resource, children. Throughout her over forty years of professional experience, she has been called foster mom, teacher, boss, president, board member, coach, grandma, mother to five and second mother to many more. She owned and operated a preschool for over thirty years. She currently resides in San Diego with her growing family of children and grandkids.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Meeting Ilyas

Journal Entry #1 (Month One) “I Am The Adult, You are The Child”

Journal entry #2 (October) BOUNDARIES

Journal Entry #3 (November) Thanksgiving

Journal Entry #4 (December) Birthday Heartbreak

Journal entry #5 (January- Month 5) Consequences

Journal Entry #6 (Month 6) Beginning Of The End

Journal Entry #7 (March) The Golden Rule

Journal # 8 (April, Month 8) Walking on Legos

Journal Entry #9 (Month 9) These Things I Believe

Journal Entry # 10 (June, Month 10) Fuming and Furious

Journal Entry #11 (July) My Personal Struggle

Journal Entry # 12 (1 year in our home) The Decision

Journal entry #13 (September) One Step Forward

Journal #14 (Month 14) The Quesadilla Diet

Journal Entry #15 (November) Theft

Journal #16 (December, 16 months ) Being Nine

Journal # 17 (January, 17 months) “No Future For You”

Journal #18 (February) “You Are My Strong Man”

Journal #19 (18 months at our home) A Normal Kid

Journal #20 (20 months) Dazed and Confused

Journal #21 (May, 21 months) A Capacity For Emotion

Journal #22 (Summer) Regrets

Journal #23 (Fall, 2 years at our house) Puppy Love

Journal #24 (Late Fall) Anticipation

Journal #25 (Winter) Family Time

Journal Entry #26 (Spring, 2 ½ years) Recess

Journal #27 (Late Spring) Another Big Change

Journal Entry #28 (Fall/ Winter, Year 3) Fifth Grade

Journal Entry #29 (Early Spring-11 years old) Trauma and Trust

Journal #30 (Late Spring) Sports Do Not Build Character They Reveal It Heywood Brown

Journal #31 (Summer) Agreement Between Mother and Son

Journal #32 Fall - 6th Grade Pick Your Battles

Journal # 33 Winter - 6th Grade A Victim

Journal #33 Spring - 6th Grade Love And Leadership

Journal #35 (Late Spring -6th grade) Loss

Journal # 35 (Summer) What Do We Do Now?

Journal #37 (August - Five Years with Ilyas) The Announcement

Journal #38 (3 years later) And, Adoption

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Editorial Reviews

April's book is not only inspiring, but a mandatory read for parents of children who struggle growing up. It is a transparent message of how commitment and hope can turn uncertainty into the miracle we call family.

- Carla J. Vencill, MA., LMFT

“All About Ilyas” is a fascinating and touching story of a distrusting young child who was placed with loving foster parents. Written from journals that his foster mom kept, along with excerpts of Ilyas’ writing, adds dimension, humor and sadness to the story.

- Linda Payne Smith, Writing Instructor and Educator

From the Publisher