4 Things To Consider When Growing Your Family Through Adoption
Building a family can be infinitely rewarding, and you don't have to have biological children to do it. People choose adoption for many reasons, from difficulty conceiving to wanting to give existing children a good home. Here are four things for you to consider if you're interested in growing your family through adoption:
1. Consider adopting an older child.
Babies are in high demand, since many people want the experience of raising a child from day one. It's okay if you have your heart set on adopting a baby, but consider adopting an older child, if that seems like it could be an option for you. Adopting an older child can help your adoption go through more quickly, since there is less demand for older kids. You'll also be giving a home to a child who may have been in the system for a while.
2. Make sure your biological children are older than your potential adoptive child.
Some people choose to adopt when they already have biological children of their own. Blended families like this can work beautifully with lots of love and closeness. According to Adopt Together, many experts recommend that you adopt a child that is younger than your current children. This can help all your kids to adjust more easily and get along better.
3. Share the facts of your child's heritage with them in an age-appropriate way.
You may be tempted to hide the fact that your child is adopted from them. While it might seem like this is more kind, in reality, this can cause trust issues down the line, especially if your child finds out they're adopted in some other way. It's a good idea to be open with your child about their adoption status in an age-appropriate way. Your child may have questions about their biological parents, so decide ahead of time what you're willing to share with them.
4. Reassure your adoptive child that they're wanted and loved.
Adopted children may sometimes feel insecure about their place in your family, especially if they were adopted at an older age. Realize that this is natural and not a sign that you're doing anything wrong as a parent. However, you can help your child by reassuring them. Make time to just hang out with them one on one, engaging in something that interests them. You want to reinforce the fact that they're a treasured and beloved part of your family.
Reach out to child adoption services near you to learn more.
Oftentimes, kids don't appreciate what they have, especially when it comes to their siblings. I started noticing this issue a few years back after we had another child, and so I began talking with my children about how to make things better. We talked about things like how to resolve conflict and what to do if you disagreed with someone else, and the results spoke for themselves. Within weeks, our kids were getting along better and we felt great about our contribution. On this blog, explore great ways to make your family better and more functional. You won't regret the effort.