December/January 2013Vol. 13, No. 11Talking to Children About Adoption
Adoption from a child's point of view can be a confusing and difficult experience. The Kinship Center released a new tip sheet that offers practical advice on how to introduce and discuss a child's adoption story in positive, age-appropriate ways. The author, an adoptive mother and trainer in the areas of grief, loss, and trauma, shares some tips for promoting and maintaining open and direct communication around a child's background and adoption details.
In particular, this tip sheet emphasizes the following key themes:
- Start talking to your child about adoption from a very early age
- Be truthful and honest in your discussions without replacing missing facts
- Reach out to other adoptive parents, significant other, or adoption professionals for support
- Recognize your own biases and areas of discomfort concerning adoption issues
- Place the responsibility for stressful events or experiences on the adults involved
- Take good care of your physical and emotional health as you allow a child to express his grief
Your Child's Story: Tips From An Adoptive Parent by Debbie Shugg is available online on the ATTACh website: