How to Talk to Your Child About Adoption

Talking to your child about adoption may make you nervous. But it doesn't have too. There are many ways to talk with your child about adoption that will make the conversation easier. Follow these steps and you will be having a nice conversation in no time!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Talking to your child about adoption shouldn't be a one time conversation. Adoption should be an ongoing topic of discussion in your home. Your child should hear about their adoption story from the time they are very small so it doesn't ever come as a shock to them.

2. When sharing your child's adoption story with them give numerous details. Tell them about where you were when you got the call, how excited you were. Tell them what you thought the first time you saw them. Explain how long of a trip it was to get them or how excited your family was when you brought them home.

3. Share with your child details about their birth family. What do you know about them. Were you able to meet them. If you have pictures share the pictures with your child and give them an opportunity to ask questions.

4. Throughout your child's life many opportunities will present themselves to talk about adoption. When you read a story book about adoption or watch a movie with an adoption theme allow a natural conversation about adoption to take place. Let your child know that adoption is a topic that you enjoy talking about so they feel comfortable asking questions as they arise.

Tips & Warnings

• When adoption is a natural topic children feel more comfortable talking about their feelings regarding adoption.
• Use books, music and videos to help talk about adoption at age appropriate levels.

[S56Pell]

on 2/20/2009 Indeed, great article. When it came time for us to talk to our son about the adoption of his sister and then to talk to his sister about her adoption, it was very difficult. Just not knowing what to say and how to say it without making them feel unwanted or unloved. This is totally the opposited, so wanted and so loved. We told our son and his reaction surprised us, he said, "I love my sister no matter who her real mommy and daddy are. We're her family now"Sandyhttp://www.rapidadoption.com/free_adoption_booklet.html

[coyotespeaks]

on 2/14/2009 Having had to go through similar things as a step-parent, honesty is best policy and when you posit two scenarios:the child is confronted with all this "new" history when they are teenagers and still trying to get their feet on the groundthe child has some knowledge that might be hard to deal with, but they have a long time to work through these issues. most importantly, you are there to go through it with them and guide them.

[TheGlamSquad]

on 1/29/2009 This was a great article! 5*****