Talking About Adoption
Do we really need to talk about adoption all the time? The simple answer to this common question is no, you don’t need to talk about adoption all the time. I’ve counseled adopted teens who’ve said things like: “I wish my parents wouldn’t bring up adoption every two seconds. They should just give it a […]
Coping with Infertility
There are many different ways to cope with sadness and grief from infertility, but processing the sense of loss is an important step in moving forward. Learn about the role of grief and loss in infertility and adoption. Stephen Levine, author and grief counselor, defines loss in a unique way. Loss, he says, is felt […]
How to Overcome Open Adoption Challenges
Openness takes time to develop. Like an in-law relationship, it requires ongoing fine-tuning and can be complicated. Because the adoptive parents are raising the child, responsibility for encouraging openness falls to them first. Understanding the challenges for birth families can help adoptive parents steward this relationship. 1. Overcoming Safety and Shame Your child’s birth mom […]
Discipline and the Adopted Child
What parent hasn’t been in this situation, in a supermarket, the playground or at bedtime? You ask your child to do something and he says, “NO!” You insist more firmly and he continues to resist. Eventually, he throws himself on the floor and screams “I hate you!” And no amount of cajoling will get him […]
Adoption and Birth Siblings Relationships: Advice for Parents
When children learn they have birth siblings who live in another home, it brings up a lot of complex emotions for everyone involved. Here are some suggestions for talking to adopted children and birth siblings about adoption. It is very common for adopted children to have birth siblings who are living with their birth parents. […]
Choosing a Primary Provider in Intercountry Adoption
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