| How is a family created? Most people think that a | | | | If You Were Adopted Kids who were adopted are |
| family is made when a couple gives birth to children. | | | | no different than other kids. But if you were |
| But families can happen in many ways. In the | | | | adopted, you may have a little more on your mind |
| television show The Brady Bunch, the mother and | | | | than your friends. Sometimes, learning you were |
| father get remarried, combining their two families into | | | | adopted may make it hard for you to pay attention |
| one. Another way to create a family is by adoption. | | | | in school. Many kids who were adopted wonder |
| In legal terms, once a child is adopted, the adult who | | | | about their birth parents and why they didn't keep |
| adopted him is his parent. How is a family created? | | | | them. Sometimes they feel abandoned even if they |
| Most people think that a family is made when a | | | | love their parents and are happy in their home. They |
| couple gives birth to children. But families can happen | | | | may also wonder where they came from and what |
| in many ways. In the television show The Brady | | | | nationalities they are. These feelings are normal and |
| Bunch, the mother and father get remarried, | | | | should be talked about with a parent or another adult |
| combining their two families into one. Another way to | | | | who you trust so you can put your mind at ease. |
| create a family is by adoption. In legal terms, once a | | | | Some kids do not find out they were adopted until |
| child is adopted, the adult who adopted him is his | | | | they are older - sometimes not until they are adults |
| parent. | | | | themselves. Their parents might have put off telling |
| Why do people want to adopt children? | | | | them until they thought they would be able to better |
| There are probably as many reasons for wanting to | | | | understand or because they feared what their |
| adopt kids as there are children waiting to be | | | | reaction would be. Finding out later that they were |
| adopted. Some couples are not able to have children | | | | adopted can be more of an adjustment for an older |
| for medical reasons but still want to raise a family. | | | | child or adult. That's why experts say it's best to |
| Some single adults, although they don't have a | | | | explain to a child that he or she was adopted when |
| partner or want to get married, desperately want to | | | | they are around age 3 or 4, when they are first |
| be a parent. Other kids' parents might remarry and | | | | putting sentences together and can understand |
| their new stepparent might adopt them. Whatever | | | | complex things. |
| way a parent and child come together, whether it's | | | | If Your Brother or Sister Was Adopted If your |
| through birth, marriage, or adoption - a new family is | | | | parents had you, the so-called "real kid," does that |
| born. | | | | make your adopted brother or sister fake? Of |
| What's Adoption and How Does It Work? The | | | | course not! Being adopted doesn't make a sibling any |
| process of adopting a kid can be pretty long and | | | | less real or part of the family. There is no question |
| involved. Some single adults and couples have to wait | | | | that there are differences between you and your |
| for years to adopt a baby. People wanting to adopt | | | | brother or sister. But there would be differences |
| go through extensive background checks including, in | | | | between you if you were both born into your family |
| some states, having their fingerprints sent to the | | | | as well. No two people are alike. Think how boring |
| Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). | | | | that would be! |
| People who want to adopt kids also meet with social | | | | The facts are, your brother or sister - adopted or |
| workers or representatives from an adoption agency | | | | not - is going to be a part of your life for a very long |
| who ask questions like why they want to adopt, | | | | time and you will rely on each other even more as |
| their attitudes toward children, and how they resolve | | | | you get older. Talk to your adopted brother or sister |
| family disagreements. This process is needed so that | | | | about his or her concerns. You might be able to help |
| kids are placed in good homes where they can grow | | | | him or her sort out his or her feelings about being |
| up happy and loved. | | | | adopted or encourage him or her to talk to a parent |
| Why Do Kids Need to Be Adopted? Of course, the | | | | or another trusted adult. You might even suggest |
| financial side is only part of adoption. Babies and kids | | | | that you talk about the situation as a family. |
| are a huge responsibility and not everyone is | | | | If Someone You Know Was Adopted If you find out |
| equipped to handle being a parent. If you've ever | | | | that someone you know, maybe a good friend, was |
| taken care of a puppy, you know that taking care of | | | | adopted, there is no reason to treat them any |
| a pet can be very demanding, and they require lots | | | | differently. Your friend is still the same person they |
| of attention. Taking care of a baby is probably a | | | | were the day before. If your friend wants or needs |
| hundred times more work! But this is only one of | | | | to talk about their situation, listen. Your friend will |
| many reasons why there are so many kids waiting to | | | | probably feel better just talking about his or her |
| be adopted. | | | | feelings, and by being a good listener, you've been a |
| In many cases, a young or single woman who gives | | | | good friend. Knowing how your friend feels about |
| birth to a baby can't handle that responsibility so she | | | | their situation will allow you to stand up to anyone |
| makes an adoption plan for her baby. Other times, | | | | who tries to make fun of them for being different. |
| especially in the case of adoptions from other | | | | Adoption can be hard to understand or even accept, |
| countries, there is war, sickness, or poverty, and a | | | | but it helps many people in lots of ways - parents |
| parent may believe that the baby would be better | | | | who may be unable to take care of kids can place |
| off in another country. Sometimes a kid's parents | | | | them with people who can, and kids without parents |
| may pass away and he needs to go to someone | | | | can be part of a family. |
| else who can take care of him. | | | | |