The Remarkable Adoption Journey: 5 Ways to Empower Children

Adoption is a remarkable journey, yet, as you well know, it brings unique challenges for adopted children. As an adoption professional, you play a pivotal role in supporting the well-being of children, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Most professionals encourage adoptive parents to support adopted children in the following ways:

1. Open Communication: Encourage adopted children to ask questions about their adoption and birth family. Honesty is key. Adopted children should feel comfortable asking questions like “Why did you choose adoption?” “What were my birth parents like?” Let them know they can come to you.
2. Celebrate Birth Story: Help children understand and celebrate their birth story, embracing cultural heritage. Adoptive parents can do things such as have a birthday ritual where they look at their birth country on a map. Cook traditional food together. Send a card or communication to the birth mother.
3. Connection with Birth Family: Support contact with the birth family when possible. Foster a sense of belonging and identity. Adoption communication can be through letters photos or even video chat. If the conversation needs to be monitored the family can use OurHeartsConnect.
4. Build a Support System: Guide adopted children in creating a strong support system. Help children bond with other adoptees via theater camps and sports teams. Tell parents not to avoid counseling if needed.
5. Address Challenges: Be aware of challenges like low self-esteem. Help parents watch for signs like withdrawal or excessive clinginess. Seek professional help if needed.