When Adoption Is Part Of A Family's Story

For some couples, adopting a child is their path to parenthood. In our work with families, we are often asked when and how to tell a child the story of his or her adoption. Since every adopted child’s situation is different, there is no spot-on, correct answer to this question.

- Lucy Daniels

Some children are adopted at birth, others during infancy or toddler hood, and others as late as their teenage years. Some children are adopted before they develop a relationship with their birth parent(s), while others have a little bonding time with them beforehand. There are many adopted children who experience multiple relationships with relatives or foster families before settling with their forever family.

There are children who are adopted by grandparents or other family members, as well as those who are adopted by families in their community. Some children come from faraway places to live with their forever family. Frequently, adoption closes the door completely on previous relationships; however, there are adoptions that incorporate a form of ongoing contact with the birth parent(s). These are just some examples that convey the scope of possibilities when it comes to adoption.