Traveling with a newly placed adoptive child who has never been away from his or her neighborhood, or been outside of the orphanage–let alone the state or country–is stressful for any child or person. Parents adopting a child internationally, or even a child from another state or part of the state, face an added obstacle during transition. Travel and relocation is stressful for adults and children no matter the circumstances, but when it includes building, a new family the situation can be nearly unbearable for everyone. When adoptive parents have to travel to transition their child, all the same issues … Continue reading →

Whenever possible, plan an easy and gradual transition for your baby or child. Moving slow during the transition from one life and becoming part of a new family helps children resolve grief. A slow and systematic transition allows for transference of attachment with the adoptive parents. Transitions for newborns are typically as simple as bringing home any new baby. If you are adopting a child who has been in a foster home, or had primary care in an orphanage, institution, or hospital, transition is a very important step because your child has learned how his or her needs are met. … Continue reading →

Mothers often spend hours creating baby books or scrapbooks for our children. A Lifebook is a special kind of baby–scrap book for adopted children. Just as a mother often writes milestones and important tid-bits of information in a child’s baby book, a lifebook is where adopted children might look for the story of their lives. There are many ways families can help children answer the important questions and understand their own unique history. “Life books, ecomaps, lifemaps, and lifepaths are all tools used by foster/adoptive parents and children’s therapists to help children of various ages understand and find ways to … Continue reading →