Parents of adopted children...?

Question

What was it like when you told your child(ren) that they were adopted? How has it been since?

Answer 1

I was adopted as an infant, and my adoptive parents told me at a very young age when telling me bedtime stories, so I grew up always knowing. I have had friends who were adopted and not told, but essentially would find out by big mouth extended family members who knew "the secret" or when going through documents. Their reaction was complete devastation. I went through various stages of curiosity growing up asking questions who were my biological parents. My parents were always very supportive of me, and whatever I pursued. Ultimately, I came to the realization, its not who you come from, but who loves you, and who takes care of you. The definition of being a "parent" is more then just giving birth.

Answer 2

I am an adoptive father, our son is only five months old so we haven't exactly told him. Conventional wisdom today is to not hide it, let the child know that he or she is adopted from the beginning. This way there is no big secret to reveal.

Friends of our have also adopted. The girl is four, she knows she is adopted and she comes from Russia, but she doesn't really understand what this means at her age.

Answer 3

im not a parent od an adopted child but i am one that was adopted.i wasnt told until i was 8 and it hit me like a ton of bricks.in my opinion i t think its best to raise your child with them knowing that they are adopted it makes it easier on the child plus the parents.

Answer 4

I agree with the above poster. I was adopted and I grew up knowing. I can't remember when I was told - so clearly it wasn't any sort of big shock.