6 Tips on How to Tell Your Child They Were Adopted
A lot of couples are choosing to adopt kids and this leaves you with the big question, how do you tell your child that he/she was adopted? We give you some tips that will help you in the process.
1. When to tell?
One of the biggest dilemmas that parents have when it comes to adopted kids is when should they reveal the truth to the child. Experts believe that early childhood is the best time to tell your child about their adoption as the child will take some time to come to terms with this reality.
2. How to go about the conversation?
Once you have decided on telling your child about his/her adoption, make sure you do it the right way. Use simple and concrete language so that it is easy to understand. Make sure that you free yourself from any distraction (phone calls, guests, appointments, etc.) and give your full attention to the conversation. Do not leave the discussion half way because that could leave a lot of questions unanswered and may have a very bad effect on the child’s emotions.
3. How to frame the words?
When you talk to your child about adoption, make sure you say good things about the birth parents. Explain to the child why the birth parents could not take care of him/her. Give the child some reassurance that none of it was his/her fault. It is OK to leave out some negative details which you think may hurt the child. Let the child know that just like the other kids, he/she grew inside his/her mother.
