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Raising an Adopted Child

Raising an adopted child has challenges that those who become parents the old fashioned way never dream of. Not because our children are more difficult to raise than other kids, but because as adoptive parents, we often come into the job with unrealistic expectations of how we will parent.

The Battle to Become Parents

We had to prove to a social worker that we were qualified to parent. We had to come up with every document under the sun proving that we had the income and other resources to successfully nurture a child to adulthood. And finally, most of us had to produce an unbelievably frightening amount of money to for the privilege to raise children.

Plus, many of us chose the journey of adoption because of infertility issues. Unlike others who may have become parents as a result of sipping too much champagne on that last cruise, we went through a long, tedious and difficult path for the opportunity to raise a child. Let's just say we really, really wanted the gig.


As adoptive parents, we expect to be super parents - and become discouraged when we don't meet up to our own high expectations.
So on those days when raising an adopted child seems less than thrilling, we find it hard to admit, even to ourselves, that the idea of boarding school for a few years sounds pretty durn enticing. But stuffing these feelings down deep and refusing to acknowledge them can lead to depression and resentment. So what do we do?

Give Yourself a Break

Realize that you can be a good parent and still occasionally want to ship your kids to Mars. Be honest with yourself and with the feelings you are having, call someone you trust to vent about it, and then move on.

I struggled with this issue myself for years. I think that deep down, I was afraid that if I acknowledged such negative feelings about my children, my three angels would somehow vanish into thin air. It led to a constant anxiety about my children, and I often acted like a helicopter mom, something that wasn't good for my children or for me.

Learning to let go a bit gives both me and my children the opportunity to have a normal, healthy and much happier relationship.

Forgive Your Failings

The only person who expects you to be the perfect, on-all-the-time parent while raising an adopted child is you. Not only is it forgivable to make mistakes, it's perfectly normal. Remember that no matter how passionate you are about any vocation, pursuing it nonstop is going to lead to burnout. The same is true with parenting. Find a good babysitter and be sure to get away from time to time.

There is nothing wrong with taking your role as a parent seriously. The fact that you are pursuing adoption tells me you're a great parent who will raise your children to become awesome adults. But remember also, you're a normal parent with normal, not-perfect kids. Mistakes are the colors in the fabric of our lives that make us both real and beautiful. Learn from your errors and move on.

How to Become a Positive Parent

Teach your children that good behavior will lead to positive benefits. There are a number of ways to do this, including using a parenting program that allows children to earn tickets for demonstrating good behaviors and positive values.

Learn to modify your child's behavior by watching your language. By stating commands in the positive rather than the negative, you can teach your children in subtle, yet powerful ways.

You can practice better discipline methods by teaching your children that it is their behavior, rather than your anger, that has both positive and negative outcomes, eliminating your anger and frustration in the process.

Peace at Home

There are excellent programs out there to help you with this goal. The important thing is to take a positive step toward positive reinforcement parenting. Your home will become more harmonious, and you'll all be happier and live in a more peaceful environment.

More Information on Raising Adopted Children

Do you long to adopt more children, but feel like you can't afford it? Finances are the number one reason many children do not adopt a second or third child. But it can be done. We adopted all three of our children without going into debt. So can you. Learn how.

Are you single and thinking about adopting? It can be tough to be a kid raised by a single parent, but there are also advantages to being a single parent.

Adopted children who are now grown can tell us a lot about how to raise an adopted child. Here are some tips.

The first time you hold that precious child in your arms, you may be tempted to protect her from every conceivable harm. But that may not be the best thing for her. Here are some reasons to avoid helicopter parenting.

Although it is rare, there are failed international adoptions. Learn the warning signs before it is too late by reading this article.

When celebrities like Madonna are raising adopted children, it has an impact on international adoption for both good and ill. Learn how.

Learning about adoption does not have to be a major or traumatic issue for your child. Learn some useful tips on telling her about her adoption here.

Good parenting skills are something most adoptive parents are thinking about while on their international adoption journey. We truly appreciate these precious children and want to raise them the best way we know how. Read more.

Raising adopted children through a permissive parenting style is an easy trap for adoptive parents to fall into, but if you choose to parent your child without rules both you and your child will suffer for it. Read more.

Sign language is a great tool for anyone raising adopted children, especially internationally adopted children by providing parents with an easier way of communication during those early days and easing frustration for their child. Read more.

Most adoption stories are told from the parent's perspective. It was truly refreshing, therefore, when I stumbled across the story of one adoptee who reunited with her family in Taiwan. Read more.

An international adoption resource to help parents effectively communicate with their newly adopted children was the goal of one adoptive mom when she created Russian for Adoptive Parents and Chinese for Adoptive Parents. These programs teach parents comfort phrases in their children's native languages. Read more.

Having a learning disabled child is likely, especially if you adopt more than one child internationally or even domestically. But these children can be just as intelligent as any other child, and raising adopted children with learning disabilities can be delightful, although they will have their own unique challenges.

Children that are adopted; what's the rest of their story? What happens to them when they are grown, and how do they feel about being adopted? International Adoption Facts and Information is starting a new series where we hear the stories of adults who were adopted internationally as children. This is the first in that series.

Adopted children and parents who are raising adopted children are no different from any other relationship between a parent and child. It's not biology that makes a relationship, but rather time, devotion and love. Here is one adopted person's story.

International adoption Mexico is one person's story of being born in Mexico and then eventually be adopted in the United States.

Adopted child syndrome - ever heard of it? Basically, it's a controversial label used to explain hurtful and destructive behaviors in adopted children such as violence, defiant behavior, lying, stealing and reactive attachment disorder.

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, take heart; it's not nearly as difficult to raise a child with ADHD as you may think. But please do think twice before putting him on a prescription medication. Learn more.

Want to build your newly adopted child's immune system, protecting him from a host of nasty bacterial, viral and fungal infections? Feed him this healthy oil.

For the best bonding experience in the world plus the best nutrition for your newly adopted baby, consider breastfeeding him. Yes, it can be done. Read more.

Have you ever wondered what the phrase, positive parenting means? It's learning to focus on the positives rather than the negatives. Learn more.

Looking for ways to raise your children without nagging or yelling? Read more.

What happens if the child you adopt is displaying autistic tendencies? Take heart; he or she will very likely improve with time. Learn more.

Nobody wants to adopt a child with serious emotional problems, but being prepared for the unexpected is the best way to successful parenting and preventing a disrupted adoption. Learn more.

Understanding the reasons why siblings fight is a good way to prevent rivalries and promote family harmony. Learn more.

Adoption books are a great way to explain adoption to young children and open the door for discussion about sensitive adoption issues such as birth parents, and why your child was placed for adoption. Here are some great books your child will love. Read more.

Learning to cook ethnic recipes from your child's country of birth will be a comfort to your older child and a great learning experience for children adopted at a younger age. Read more.

If you're waiting for your adopted child to be grown before telling him he's adopted, you may be doing more harm than good. Here's why.

If your child is of another race, make sure you teach your child to be proud of his race and to appreciate his and other cultures. Learn more.

When a child is adopted internationally, he must not only deal with the shock of new parents, but also often a new language, customs and even different food. Follow these tips to make the transition easier.

It's always best to be open with your child about his adoption, but how do you approach the subject with him? Here are some tips.

Your grown child is looking for his birthparent. So should you feel threatened? Absolutely not. Here's why.

Are you worried that your newly adopted child is so different you won't be able to attach to her? Then you need to read this article. Click here.

As adoptive parents, we often place high expectations on ourselves as parents and it's easy to become discouraged. That's when it's time to realize you're a normal parent with normal feelings. Read more.

A birth mother who searches for, and even comes back to take back a child she has given up for adoption. Is this possible? This issue was addressed recently in the hit show Glee, when teen mom Quinn, who had given up her baby for adoption in a previous season, announced she wanted to get her daughter back. Read more.





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