Explaining Adoption to Your Children
Learning how to explain adoption to your other children is never easy, but with our guide, you’ll know exactly how to approach it.
When you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, we’ve listed five tips on how to start this conversation with your children. If you’re ready to start talking about adoption with an agency, then you can get free information now from an experienced adoption professional.
Telling Your Kids You’re Pregnant and Want to Give Your Baby up for Adoption
If you are thinking about placing your baby for adoption and need help explaining the situation to your children, here are five guidelines you can follow to help with the discussion:
1. Be honest and open throughout the conversation
Any time you’re talking to your children about adoption, it’s important to be honest and transparent with them. Having this conversation as early as you can will help the discussion go smoothly. If possible, then have this conversation as soon as you decide that adoption is the right path for you.
This will help your child prepare for the process and for any emotions they may have after placement. Many children can sense change, and it can make them feel uneasy. Transparency will help ease some of their stress. Being upfront early can help your child cope with their feelings.
2. Use age-appropriate language
Although it’s important to be open and honest with your children when you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, you shouldn’t overwhelm them with information. If you have younger children, then you shouldn’t try to explain the complex parts of adoption. Instead, explain it in a way that they can understand.
For example, if you have a younger child, it might be best to tell them that you had to make a hard decision and the new baby can’t live with you. This way your child can understand the situation without being overwhelmed with complicated information. Using age-appropriate language can ensure your child is prepared for the adoption process and the emotions that come with it.
3. Share your feelings
Adoption comes with a lot of emotions. It’s important to show your child that it’s OK to feel these emotions. Your child can tell when you’re feeling down and will sense that something isn’t right. Sharing how you feel throughout the adoption journey can help them process what they may be feeling, too.
Tell them what you’re feeling and how confident you are in your decision. Sharing your feelings early on will help them cope with any emotions that come after placement has occurred.
4. Respect your children’s feelings
Your adoption will impact on your child regardless of how old they are. It’s important to let them know that you will always be there for them to help them cope with any emotions they’re feeling. Listen to them as they process this news and express their feelings.
Let them ask you any questions, and be sympathetic when they tell you how they’re feeling. Tell them you understand their sadness, anger or frustration. If they’re older, then encourage an open dialogue about adoption and answer their questions with full transparency.
5. Reassure your child
Regardless of how old your child is, make sure that you reassure them. Adoption is a difficult concept for anyone to process, so it’s important to make your child feel comfortable with their emotions.
It can be difficult to discuss your decision with them when you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption. Assure your children that you love them and the baby you’re placing, too.
Tell your child that you’ll continue to take care of them while someone else takes care of their sibling. Depending on their age, you can also explain that you made this decision out of love and that you did what was best for their sibling.
Continue to Talk About Adoption
When you’re pregnant and want to give your baby up for adoption, keep communication open with your other child. Continue to share your feelings with your children and encourage them to do the same. It could help to incorporate adoption into your everyday life and conversation. Books and movies are a great starting place to introduce the concept of adoption to your children.
Although it’s difficult to find a story that replicates your adoption journey, books and movies are a great way to show your children how the adoption process works. If you want to continue to talk about adoption with someone else, then your adoption professional will be there for you to help you process any difficult emotions you may be feeling.
As your child gets older, you can start providing more details to help your child understand how beautiful and selfless choosing adoption can be. If you find that your child doesn’t understand why you chose adoption, then they’ll learn overtime that this was the best decision for you and your family.
If you have any questions about explaining adoption to your biological children, then you can get more free information here from an experienced adoption professional. We’d be happy to help you with your adoption journey.
