Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Episode#76: Parenting a Child Adopted at Birth

Birth Mother Matters in Adoption Episode#76: Parenting a Child  Adopted at Birth

There are some variables that may impact and affect the way a parent “parents” a child:

1. Gender of the child
2. Parental relationship with their own parents (adopted child’s grandparents) and the parenting they, themselves were reared in
3. A parent’s own temperament, their level of educational, culture, socioeconomic status and the influence of their spouse
4. A parent’s personal life experiences, their employment or lack of employment or maybe mistakes they have made or have been impacted by
5. Social Media, Outside Perceptions and previous experience

There are so many similarities to parenting a biological child in comparison to parenting an adopted child.  Here are five to start with:

1. Parental love should be unconditional
2. Choose your core values
   1. Family
   2. Right vs. Wrong
   3. Respect
   4. Self-discipline
   5. Empathy/Compassion/ Sympathy
   6. Generosity
3. Consistency is key
4. Practicing what you preach
5. Prioritization

Parenting an adopted child, does not need to be viewed as tricky, touchy or complicated.  It should be viewed as adding in some extra layers to secure a solid parent-child relationship.  The most important aspect of parenting an adopted child, in my opinion is to ensure: unconditional love, unconditional acceptance, unconditional forgiveness, permanence and stability.