Click Here to Get Started
Adopting? You need a home study. Connect with a home study provider in your area today!

Making the Psychological Transition to Adoptive Parenthood

  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
You may use the stars on the left to rate and leave feedback for the current article. No registration is required. Waiting for 5 votes 0.0 of 5 stars (0 votes) — Thanks for your vote

Please fill out the following optional information before submitting your rating:




  • Pick a pediatrician/family practitioner
  • Pick a developmental pediatrician/expert with post-institution child (PIC)
  • Have child's medical files/videotape reviewed before taking referral
  • Set up community resource network before you go; contact county special child health services, child study team, occupational therapist, mature babysitter/respite caregiver, parents who've already adopted
  • Join a support group for adoptive families from your source (see our adoption resources)
  • Prepare family members for adoption-related issues to help them transition to adopted relatives
  • Prepare the baby/child's room
  • Buy the necessary equipment (toys should be suitable for children below the chronological age of child from institution (don't overstimulate)
  • Talk with your clergy (acceptance of adopted child/family)
  • Learn how to parent (it's not innate)--replace reward and punishment method and learn basic filial therapy techniques
  • Read adoption literature specific to orphanage impact; attend workshops; join organizations (see our articles and books on adoption and adoption resources)
  • How will your role change? How will your time be used?
  • What new chores will you have? What assistance will you need?
  • If you're married, how will you determine who does what tasks?
  • How will your marriage change? What are you willing to let go of for a while? What do you need to hold onto for sanity?
  • You deserve a baby/child shower, too!
  • Freeze food now; adopting is just as (maybe more) exhausting as giving birth
  • Set up support network with family and friends before you leave (who can give you respite to take a shower, sleep, eat in the initial few weeks)
  • Find a babysitter with experience with a difficult child
REMEMBER, BEING PREPARED HELPS TO ESTABLISH REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS AND NECESSARY TOOLS TO AVOID POST-ADOPTION DEPRESSION AND RESENTMENT OF ADOPTED CHILD

Credits: Adoption Resource Center
Jewish Family Service of Southern Middlesex County
517 Ryders Lane
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
(908) 257-4100

   
Sponsored Links
Adopting
Click Here to Get Started
Adopt Help Adopt Help
Want to Adopt? Click here
Adopt Help
Pregnant? Click here