How Does It Feel To Be Adopted?

Birth Parents make an adoption plan to provide a better life for a child. It is the most selfless act of love that birth parents can give their child. Each adoption is unique in that each birth parent chooses the amount of personal information to be shared by the adoptive family to their adopted child. From an early age adopted children are taught that their birth parent(s) loved them. Adoption is their own personal story and whatever they choose to share is their choice and it’s okay. ANLC encourages adoptive families to be open, honest, and respectful in sharing their children’s adoption story.

Whether they need more information or choose to search for Birth Parents, children struggle with feelings towards them. Adoptive Parents typically try to make things nice for their child. They say things like “You were born in my heart.” Or “We were meant to be together.” Children may wonder what life would have been like if they still lived with their Birth Parents or imagine life with another family who would have adopted them. They often wonder if they have birth siblings and where they are. This internal struggle can be emotionally taxing and distracting for a child.

As adopted kids mature and try to fit in, they may try to blend their identity to include Birth and Adoptive Families. They may try out various groups of friends—dressing, emulating and dating those of the same racial, ethnic or religious background—and watching to see how their Adoptive Parents react.

As they think about having children, they may become more interested in their birth and medical history. They are excited about having a blood relative, but have concerns over hereditary illnesses.

Being adopted means your early life was different, but does not mean you should be referred to as an adopted child or adult all of your life. However, adopted children are ambassadors of adoption, whether they like it or not. From an early age, they are asked questions and hear comments from peers and adults. Children need to learn what to do. They may choose to correct people or answer their questions; they may choose not to respond and walk away. Adoption is their personal story and whatever they choose to share is their choice and it’s okay.

Adopted children want their parents (and others) to be sensitive to their concerns and questions and want to be able to talk about their adoption, when they choose. Mostly, they want to be thought of just like other kids.

ANLC strongly encourages Adoptive Families to be as open, honest, and respectful to their children when it comes to discussing adoption. When given the right approach, adopted children feel prideful about being adopted, and feel a great appreciation for their Birth Parents and Adoptive Family for allowing them to live a life full of endless opportunities.