Re:What It Feels Like to Be Adopted at 17
by ciconia on Saturday January 02, 2016 @12:56AM
(#10825262)
FWIW adopting babies or small children is also not a trivial undertaking. Having adopted two toddlers (biological siblings) 5 years ago, we are still dealing (the kids and us parents) with questions of identity and security. As an adoptive parent you need to develop a certain sensitivity to this aspect of your kids' life. We try to be as open as possible with them regarding their origins, while at the same time letting them know they'll always belong to us and to the extended family. It's been quite challenging at times, but I guess all parents have these moments.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:What It Feels Like to Be Adopted at 17
by karmajunkie on Saturday January 02, 2016 @02:03PM
(#10827375)
I think this can't be underscored enough. We've got some close family friends who have been through several adoptions ranging from infants to early teenagers, and its been a range of experiences from wonderful to gut-wrenching. Different environments for the same child can have wildly different outcomes based on their ability to attach, formative experiences, etc.
That said, all of this is also true for biological parents. I think parenthood is a rollercoaster no matter what path you take to becoming one.