| Do you tell your child the truth? | | | | ways that families are formed. The best time to do |
| Honesty is the best policy, especially in the case of | | | | this is in November because it's National Adoption |
| adoption. One of the really difficult questions to | | | | Month. The kids will understand that adoption is just |
| answer is, why did my real parents give me up? Most | | | | one way that a family comes together, just like how |
| adoptive parents work hard to preserve their child's | | | | two previously married people blend their families or |
| self-worth by helping them understand that their birth | | | | going to live at Grandpa's house. |
| parents could not, raise you the way you deserved, | | | | If your child is African, Chinese, or any other ethnicity |
| so they made the decision to let you be free to join | | | | you can teach his/her classmates all about their |
| a family who could give you everything you need. | | | | culture. |
| If your child notices that you look nothing alike admit | | | | Rebellion- |
| that he/she is right and then let the child explain how | | | | Your child may feel angry about being given up for |
| that makes him/her feel. Kids ask different questions | | | | adoption, anger at you for adopting him or her, anger |
| at different periods in their life. Considering the child's | | | | at everybody because his life has challenges that |
| feelings will help you understand what's really on the | | | | they do not face. Even though each situation is |
| child's mind. | | | | unique, adoptive parents generally understand that |
| Handling Bias and Prejudice- | | | | anger and to not take it personally. |
| Anytime a child is considered different, due to their | | | | Experience the Joy- |
| family situation, the color of their skin or the slant of | | | | You will probably have challenges but you also |
| their eyes, can be forced to deal with bullying. You | | | | experience the joy of knowing that you chose to |
| are your child's first line of protection. Bullying needs | | | | make a family with your child. Discover other |
| to be dealt with straight away by intervening with | | | | adoptive families in your community to friendship. You |
| teachers and other families. Children shouldn't have to | | | | will find that they are a little bit extra special because |
| suffer bullying. | | | | they climbed a steeper path to create their families |
| Think about asking your child's teacher if you (or | | | | and they cherish those families even more for all the |
| they) can present information about the different | | | | extra effort it took to come together. |