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Adopting a Foster Child: The Family's View

For most of us, starting a family means starting with a newborn – either through birth, or through adoption that takes place close to the day of birth.  But for some, it means opening their hearts and homes to older kids from foster care.  Adoption can answer the prayers of a foster child – but what is the impact on the family?  The answer is that bringing an older child (even an older baby!) successfully into your life isn’t always easy, but if you go into it with your eyes wide open, the joy for you and that child can be beyond measure.

Join our host Dr. Winnie King, and meet two families who have accepted the challenges of adopting older kids, and have reaped the rewards.  Explore the journey these families have taken, a journey that’s sometimes painful, but always inspirational.  You'll also meet a family therapist who provides tips for prospective parents on how to make it through the tough times, and how to help these kids heal in the process.

Guests:

Charlie Schneider, Age 15, Adopted Child
Joe Schneider, Age 16, Adopted Child
Emma Schneider, Charlie and Joe’s Sister
Savannah Schneider, Charlie and Joe’s Sister
Lisa and Mark Schneider, Parents of Charlie, Joe, Emma and Savannah
Robert Fairfield, Age 10, Adopted Child
Diane Mulligan-Fairfield, Mother of Robert
Kim Wolfe, RN, ARNP, Therapist for Foster Families

Tips:    

  1. Adopting older foster kids, as well as younger ones, is a rewarding way to make the ultimate difference in a kid’s life.
  2. However, adopting kids who have suffered from past abuse or neglect is a challenge that requires an understanding of the emotional and behavioral issues these kids often face.  This is true even of children adopted as young as 9-10 months of age.
  3. What is often seen as bad behavior on these kids’ part is really a result of their past experiences – it’s their learned way of coping with extreme circumstances – and it can usually be modified with the support of caring parents who have taken the time to educate themselves about these issues.
  4. Parents who adopt kids from foster care usually need support from mental health care professionals, pediatricians and other parents who have adopted older kids.  And that support can make the crucial difference in creating a successful adoptive family!
  5. The Bottom Line:  These kids CAN heal and become happy, healthy members of a loving family.

Resources:  

For Learning About Foster Adoption:
AdoptUSKids
http://www.adoptuskids.org/
888-200-4005

For Study on Use of Nutritional Supplements in Behavior Modification:
Texas Christian University Institute of Child Development
http://www.davidcross.us/
Click on the Adoption Project