Empowering Your Child to Share Their Adoption Story

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This tip sheet provides valuable guidance for parents on supporting their adopted children in sharing their adoption stories. It emphasizes the importance of allowing children to control their narratives, helping them feel empowered and comfortable with their personal histories.

Key Points Covered:

  • Understanding Ownership: While parents may feel connected to their child’s adoption story, it ultimately belongs to the child. Respecting this boundary is crucial for the child’s sense of ownership and identity.
  • Handling Questions: Children often face questions about their adoption, which can evoke a range of emotions. The tip sheet offers strategies for parents to help their children navigate these inquiries, whether they choose to share or not.
  • Empowerment Techniques: Practical advice is provided on empowering children to respond to questions. This includes teaching them to leave conversations, decline to answer or share simple facts about adoption.
  • Story Sharing Practice: Encourages parents to practice story-sharing with their children in a safe, private environment. This helps children articulate their feelings and become more comfortable with their stories.
  • Safety Considerations: This section emphasizes the importance of teaching children to share their stories safely without revealing too much personal information to strangers or casual acquaintances.
  • Community and School Involvement: This section discusses how to handle adoption-related topics in various settings, such as schools, communities, and religious organizations, ensuring children feel supported and understood.
  • Resources: The tip sheet includes a list of additional resources and books that can further assist parents and children in navigating the complexities of adoption stories.

By following the guidance in this tip sheet, parents can help their children feel more confident and secure in sharing their adoption stories, fostering a sense of pride and ownership over their personal histories.

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Author: Wisconsin Family Connections Center
Additional Author: Coalition for Children, Youth & Families
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