when you think it is right to tell a child they are adopted?

Answer 1

Early and often. Get the book "tell me again about the night i was born"

Read it to your baby when you are reading other books. It's normal and a feature like being blond.

This is what my husband and I did.

Answer 2

I know this isn't the most popular opinion to have, but I think the best time is when they're old enough to understand. I believe that when children are bombarded with "You're adopted, but we love you JUST AS MUCH..." from birth, they grow up feeling different. How can you not, when the fact that you're adopted is constantly emphasized? I'm a believer in making as SMALL a deal of it as possible. To have the attitude of "The only reason I'm telling you at all is because you might have questions about your medical history." Don't make a big drama out of it, and don't let the child make a drama out of it. A friend of mine wasn't told she was adopted until she was almost 20. When she asked her parents why they didn't tell her, their reply was "Because it wasn't an issue." And so it wasn't.

Answer 3

I agree with Empress.
The fact that the child is adopted is not what's important at all, and it should be a non-issue. What's important is that you are the willing and able parent who's rescued this little person, and providing everything a birth parent does (and perhaps even more!). Who cares that you don't share blood really when you share love and a bond like any other parent/child relationship?
If there are medical issues that need to be addressed (hereditary diseases), just say you don't know the family history...no biggie.
When the child gets older and emotionally/mentally strong enough, then go ahead and explain what happened. Hopefully you'll have raised a grateful enough child that they will just love you even more for what you've done for them.
Good luck!

Answer 4

taking a relaxed, middle-of-the-road approach to the issue is the best.
This means not avoiding the subject of adoption or being embarrassed to talk about it, but rather treating it normally, like you would discuss where you live.

You should certainly plan to tell your child that she/he was adopted.
The best time to introduce the subject is between age 4 or 5, when your child begins to realize that life has a beginning and an end. As a result, they begin asking questions about where babies come from. At this age, children are curious and capable of understanding the difference between being born into a family and being adopted into one.

Answer 5

Any time that you feel that you are ready but do it before someone else does it for you. My husband had a child with a girl 10 years ago when he was 15 years old and it was an open adoption and he was told about it when he was 5 years old so i assume at an age where they can understand.

Answer 6

As soon as the child is able to some what understand, so starting to talk about it at 2 and a half or three.

Answer 7

Good question. Honestly, if it were me, I wouldn't tell them until they could drive a car. Really, at 2-3 they kind of understand, but you need to make sure that they are developed enough to understand/comprehend and be able to deal.

Try their 18th birthday.

(J/k.)

Answer 8

depends on the child! how do they handle stress.....will their entire world fall apart when you tell them that they are adopted?