How Do You Help An Adopted Older Child Adjust?
Adjustment to a new home can be difficult for an older adopted child. Your child may have had many placements over the years and probably fears that this is just another stop in a long line of new homes. Taking steps to ease your child’s adjustment can make this time easier for the entire family. Establish a schedule as quickly as possible. Children like to know what to expect, and consistency gives them a feeling of security. Assign chores and other responsibilities right away. It may be tempting to give the child time to settle in first, but it’s better to start off right away with what she is expected to do as a member of the family. Having specific responsibilities can also help an older adopted child feel like she belongs in the family. Make sure your child knows right away what the house rules are and what happens if he breaks the rules. Try to keep expectations simple and to the point, with very clear consequences for each one. Keep days calm with lots of down time, especially d
