The Post-Adoption Adjustment for New Siblings, First-Time Parents, and More

Adoption brings changes to any family. Experts and parents offer advice on helping siblings adjust, getting used to parenthood, and more.

“Breathing”

Jennifer Zeuli - January 14, 2021 - Bonding, Bonding & Child Care, Family Adjustment, Family Dynamics, Modern Families, Real Adoption Stories

“Breathing”

Jennifer Zeuli - January 14, 2021 - Bonding, Bonding & Child Care, Family Adjustment, Family Dynamics, Modern Families, Real Adoption Stories

As I prepared to adopt my second child, I welcomed the home study worker into a perfectly clean and ordered home. The scene that greeted her at her post-placement visit was, well, different—but much more real.

Thank You, Bàba

Jeff Seitzer - September 22, 2020 - Bonding, Bonding & Child Care, Connections to the Past, Family Adjustment, Real Adoption Stories

Six months after she came home to us, our daughter stopped speaking. As I searched for clues as to her sudden silence, I became profoundly grateful to her Chinese foster father, a man I had never met, for teaching me a valuable lesson about selfless love.

“From Waiting Mom to Flexible Working Mom”

Corey Schaut - February 21, 2020 - Bonding, Family Adjustment, Family Dynamics, Infants, Parenting, Real Adoption Stories

Adoption allowed me to fulfill my dream of finally becoming a mother, and my flexible work schedule allows me to be the mom I’ve always wanted to be. Here’s how you can make it work, too.

Ask AF: What to Do the First Time a Foster Child Comes to Stay with Us?

Regina M. Kupecky, LSW - April 23, 2019 - Adopting, Bonding, Expert Q&A, Family Adjustment, Foster, Older Child Adoption, Transitions 3+

“We are preparing for our first overnight visit with sisters we hope to adopt from foster care, and are nervous. What are we supposed to do for 24 hours with two children who are essentially strangers?”

Ask AF: Rivalry with a Newly Adopted Sibling

Regina M. Kupecky, LSW - January 29, 2019 - Bonding, Expert Q&A, Family Adjustment, Family Dynamics, Older Child Adoption, Parenting

“Our son had been excited about the idea of a ‘little brother,’ but, from the day our younger son came home, they have had intense rivalry; there was no ‘honeymoon’ period. What can we do?”

A mom introduces a new baby after preparing her child for a sibling.

How Did You Prepare Your First Child for a Sibling?

Editorial Team - October 22, 2018 - Bonding, Family Adjustment

We asked our readers how they introduced the idea of a second child to their first. Here’s what they shared for each age group.

Support Groups for Adoptive Parents and Families

Suzan Black - October 6, 2018 - Bonding, Family Adjustment, Talking, Talking to Others

Adoptees and their families need help and guidance throughout their lives. Support groups can help provide that.

A teen sister holds her new sibling baby brother in the park

From Only Child to Oldest

Eliza Castaneda - October 4, 2018 - Family Adjustment, Preparing for Parenthood, Talking, Talking to Kids, The Process

Preparing your child for a new sibling can be a challenge at any age, but especially when she is a sensitive teen.

Ask AF: Your Older Child’s First Day Home with You

Editorial Team - January 24, 2018 - Bonding, Family Adjustment, Older Child Adoption, Transitions 3+

A parent-to-be who’s adopting a four-year-old from foster care solicits advice about what to do that first day home and how to make it easier on the child.

We considered adopting a second child, but eventually decided to grow our family by adding a dog, instead

“A Different Kind of Sister”

Rev. Lynn Ungar - January 20, 2018 - Adopting, Bonding, Decisions, Family Adjustment, Parenting, Real Adoption Stories

My partner and I thought long and hard about whether we wanted to adopt a second child. We decided to adopt a puppy-sister for our daughter instead.

Ask AF: Transitioning Children to Calling Us “Mom” and “Dad”

Editorial Team - August 17, 2017 - Bonding, Expert Q&A, Family Adjustment, Older Child Adoption, Transitions 3+

“My husband and I are working to adopt from foster care. How do we transition a child from calling us our first names to calling us ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’?”

adoptive mom Sandy Burkett with her daughter as a toddler

“Are Adoptive Moms Allowed to Have a Bad Day?”

Sandy Burkett - July 25, 2017 - Bonding, Bonding & Child Care, Family Adjustment, Infants, Parenting, Real Adoption Stories

After finally realizing my dream of becoming a mother, I found what most new parents find—along with the bliss come days filled with crying, spit-up, and leaking diapers. But when I dared to vent, I was chided: “You wanted to adopt…you asked for this!”

Laurie Shiers with her husband and son adopted from Thailand

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March 3, 2024

“Breathing”

“Breathing”

Thank You, Bàba

“From Waiting Mom to Flexible Working Mom”

Ask AF: What to Do the First Time a Foster Child Comes to Stay with Us?

Ask AF: Rivalry with a Newly Adopted Sibling

How Did You Prepare Your First Child for a Sibling?

Support Groups for Adoptive Parents and Families

From Only Child to Oldest

Ask AF: Your Older Child’s First Day Home with You

“A Different Kind of Sister”

Ask AF: Transitioning Children to Calling Us “Mom” and “Dad”

“Are Adoptive Moms Allowed to Have a Bad Day?”

“Awake at Last”

Ask AF: How to Encourage a New-Sibling Bond?

“Where We All Belong”

Parent-to-Parent: My Favorite Adoption Memory

Ask AF: Handling a Difficult Adjustment After Older Child Adoption

Ask AF: Would Calling Day Care Workers “Auntie” Confuse an Adopted Child?

“An Unexpected Family”

“Second Child, Second Thoughts?”