Telling a child that he/she is adopted is perhaps one the most difficult things one can do as a parent. Here are some tips to help you get through this difficult task.

Video Transcription

How to tell the truth to adopted children. There are two different views on when a child should be told they are adopted. When? Many experts believe the child should be told at the youngest possible age. Other experts advise waiting until the child is older. They believe telling a child too early may confuse the young child who can’t really understand the information. In adolescence, the adopted child is likely to have an increased interest in his or her birth parents. This open curiosity is not unusual and does not mean rejection of the adoptive parents. How should I tell him or her? Child and adolescent psychiatrists recommend that the child be told about the adoption by the adoptive parents. This helps give the message that adoption is good and the child can trust the parents. Children should be told about their adoption in a way they can understand. Adoptive parents often have questions about how to deal with the circumstances of adoption. A Health Professional and/or Support Groups can help. How to tell the truth to adopted children?