Welcoming a new member into the family is, needless to say, an exciting time. Yet depending on the age of the adopted child, adjusting to new surroundings, family members and lifestyles can bring about much confusion. Most parents are aware of this fact and welcome it along with the adoption process, acknowledging that a smooth routine simply takes time. However, some Tennessee parents find it harder to help a new child adapt to a new — and often overwhelming — environment.
These complications can be especially prominent for older children who have previously been exposed to other living situations. The Spruce magazine aligns with these concerns, encouraging new adoptive parents to hold a family meeting when welcoming a new child into the home. In doing so, parents can lay down basic rules of the household and explain how standard routines typically work. Most importantly, meetings can serve as a platform for parents and new children to get to know one another better. Privacy, according to The Spruce, is essential for older adopted children, as well. Giving them the space they need can help build a foundation of trust.
The Child Information Welfare Gateway understands the obstacles new adopted children may come across, including asking questions about past families. Some parents who adopt school-aged children, especially teenagers, go through stages in which their child questions authority figures and even misbehaves. Some common instances some parents face are as follows:
- Children ask about their birth parents
- Children experience insecurity, having anxiety or depression
- Children may display behavioral problems
- Children can experience learning or developmental delays
In addition to these potential issues, CIWG notes that identity and developmental issues can be all too common among older children. But by becoming more aware of these possible concerns, parents can move on with the more exciting aspects of having a new family member at home.