Creating an adoption story for your adopted child is a very special and meaningful activity. It helps them understand how they came into your family and is a reminder that you love them unconditionally and no matter where they come from.
While many adoptive parents fear they may not tell their child’s origin story well, research shows that it is best to be as honest and as open as possible. Children do not benefit from being told a whitewashed version of their history, and withholding information can actually harm them. When children do not hear their full adoption story, they often fill in the holes with fantasy. For example, an 11-year-old boy who did not know his birth mother filled the gaps with a dream that she lived in a beautiful house near the ocean and that he would visit her there one day. Adult adoptees have shared that this type of false narrative can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and a sense of not being worthy of their adoptive parents’ love.
Adoptees want to understand their place in the world and need to have access to their own personal history. The best way to share this information is through a book, such as the following selections. These books are a great way to introduce your child’s adoption story and are perfect for sharing with siblings and extended family members. It’s also a fun idea to include blank pages at the end for your child to add their own photos, notes and memories.