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Common Child Adoption Problems

Every person, adopted or non-adopted, is molded by life-experience. Every adoption case is different, and adopted individuals are going to differ significantly in the ways their adoption story influences them. Adoption is a life-long experience with its own distinctive benefits and issues that you and your child might endure at some point in your adventure. Even when adoption is a positive experience, adopted individuals may face matters of sadness and hurt, self-assurance and identity, or emotional and learning difficulties. Being a biological mother, you probably have issues about the affect adoption might have on your baby. To find out about some of the difficulties adoption can bring, get more information below. Below are some common challenges faced by adoptive families, in addition to some tactics for parents for helping their children cope.

Child Adoption – Sadness, Separation, And Hurt

Whereas it may be challenging for parents to comprehend, a lot of adopted children go through some feelings of sadness and hurt in relation to their adoption. They might suffer the hurt of their biological parents in addition to brothers and sisters, grandparents and extended members of the family. Older children that were adopted later in their lives might mourn the hurt of foster families, friends and well-known schools and/or neighborhoods.

Children may experience heightened emotions like sadness, hurt, anger, denial, anxiety, and fear during the grieving process, especially when they feel misunderstood. These emotions may resurface throughout an adoptee’s life, impacting significant events. Sadness and hurt may lead to fears of abandonment, difficulties in holding on and letting go, behavioral issues, and fear of future hurt, affecting friendships and relationships. Adopted individuals might also grapple with guilt, feeling disloyal to their adoptive parents. Each person processes these emotions differently and at their own pace, requiring additional support for some children.

Child Adoption – Self-Assurance And Identity

Adoption can present some difficulties for children as they work out the identity forming process, especially as young adults. Adoptees with minimal information concerning their biological families and the reasoning their biological parents decided adoption may particularly endure difficulties in the development of their identity. Identity development challenges may come up as adopted children face problems finding their place in their adoptive family.

Some adopted individuals may view themselves as different, undesirable, or rejected and could struggle to adjust to their families or with their non-adopted peers that have more details concerning their backgrounds and are securer in their identities. Identity challenges may be further complicated when the child’s race or heritage is different from that of the adoptive family. Children that face feelings of nonacceptance and strive to find their place amidst their peers or family members usually also experience lower self-assurance and could benefit from a counseling or therapy sessions to help resolve their issues.

Attachment Issues, School Difficulties And Other Mental Health Difficulties

Older adoptees with early-life distress—abandonment, abuse, multiple foster placements, or institutional care—may face additional developmental, social, and emotional challenges. Reports suggest higher risks of ADHD, substance abuse, learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, and attachment disorders. Building trusting relationships with adoptive parents may be challenging due to past abuse or neglect. Children with trauma or developmental/mental health issues may benefit from counseling, and families may need education and support to address these challenges.

Handling Post-Adoption Matters

Adopted children and parents may face adoption-related challenges anytime. Support your child by educating yourself on post-adoption issues and seeking help. Open communication, understanding, and establishing routines create a stable environment. Provide a loving, balanced home and allow age-appropriate decision-making to build confidence. Seek professional help when needed, such as therapists experienced in adoption and trauma counseling. Adoption is a lifelong process; effective communication and support ensure a happy, healthy, and balanced family.

Source:

  1. Four challenges adopted children face and how you can help: Considering adoption. Considering Adoption |. (2021, October 7). Retrieved March 9, 2022, from https://consideringadoption.com/adopting/parenting-an-adopted-child/four-challenges-adopted-children-face-and-how-you-can-help/

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