The journey of adoption is chosen for various reasons. Regardless of the reason, it is an emotional journey for everyone involved, the birthparents, the adoptive parents, and the adoptee.
For the birthparents, making the decision to place their child in the care of another family is a daunting one. For the adoptive parents the process of completing the home study, waiting for a placement and then having the placement fall through is emotionally draining. For the adoptee there can be mixed emotions and numerous questions of trying to figure out where they fit between their adoptive and birth families.
If you are an adoptive family or are considering adoption, here are some things to note:
- People who have experienced adoption experience higher rates of depression throughout their lifetime.
- In a transracial adoption, learn about your child’s culture and traditions and incorporate these into your home. This may include but not limited to: learning how to care for their hair textures, cooking traditional foods, having mentors that share the same cultural background as your child, and visiting your child’s country of birth.
- Adoptees are at a higher risk for disorders such as ADHD, bipolar, PTSD, and anxiety.
- Adoption is a lifelong journey with unique rewards and challenges
So how can an adoptive child and their family be supported? Here are a few strategies:
- Be open with your child about their adoption. Answer questions based on what they can handle for their age.
- If the situation allows, maintain contact with the birth family. Studies have shown that contact between adoptees and their birth families has benefits.
- Connect with other adoptive families. Having a connection to other families who have a similar journey provides support and benefits to the adoptee and adoptive families.
- Seek support from a therapist who is familiar with the world of adoption and the ups and downs that it brings.
