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Talking About Adoption
It can be difficult for parents to find the words to talk about adoption with their children and others. Adopted People may not know how to respond to questions from classmates or strangers. Find resources in this section to help families and adopted people talk about adoption.
The Adopted Child's Changing View
The Center for Adoption Support and Education
Provides a timeline showing how a child's understanding of adoption develops. This information can guide parents how to have age-appropriate discussions about adoption with their children.
Adopted People Need to Resolve Inner Conflict Before Handling Comments
Melina
Adopted Child, 14, 1995
View Abstract
Provides guidance to adoptive parents about assisting their children with responding to questions about adoption.
Answering Stranger's Questions About Adoption
McCurdy (2007)
Provides tips to adoptive parents about how to handle questions from strangers, including responses to common questions.
Let's Talk Adoption: A Lifetime of Family Conversations
Adoption Learning Partners
Informs adoptive families about how to make talking about adoption part of everyday life.
Talking About Adoption
Adoptive Families Magazine
Includes a compilation of articles providing advice to adoptive parents on discussing sensitive adoption details, answering their child's first questions, helping their adolescent open up, and more.
Talking With Children About Difficult History
Pact, an Adoption Alliance
Discusses steps in approaching how, what, and when to share difficult information with adopted children.
What's the Best Way to Handle My Child's Questions About Her Adoption?
American Academy of Pediatrics (2007)
Provides tips on how to talk about adoption in daily life and includes a list of questions that adopted children may ask their parents.
Why Children May Not Want to Talk About Adoption
Melina (1991)
Discusses reasons some children do not want to talk about adoption and provides guidance on how to approach children at times when they do want to talk about it.
WISE UP Powerbook
The Center for Adoption Support and Education (2008)
View Abstract
Presents the W.I.S.E. Up technique for responding to questions or comments about adoption. The text emphasizes that adopted children have the choice to share or not to share information. An adult section provides recommendations for parents using the workbook with their child.