adopt a 'tween? (x-post from russia)

k8c

January 28, 2008

Has anyone here adopted a 10/11/12 year old? I'd love some stories if you have...

A friend from my yahoo group is freaking out over the pre-adoption research her agency is having her do. FRUA isn't helping. I thought you guys might have some insights to share with her.

She is single and has one adotped child.

Thanks!

Kate

ZIPPY

January 29, 2008

We adopted siblings age 5 & 7 back in 2004, and finally finalized their other sibling in April, 2007. She was 11 yrs. old and now is 12.

Advertisements

k8c

January 30, 2008

Zippy, thanks for answering. Any insights to share? Easy transition for her? Difficult? Hormones an issue? What did you do about school placement?

Thanks again!

Kate

ZIPPY

January 30, 2008

The transition wasn't too bad. The honeymoon stage is always seems to be enjoyable. We did a lot of discernment in regards to school. For the first two, I homeschooled them for 3 years. With this older one, I didn't feel I could give her all she needed so we sent all of them to a charter school. The school is small and the teachers are working with her individually. They are adjusting curriculum, although we did place her in the 6th grade. Her grades are all A's, but I must work with her every night 3-4 hours just to explain and help her with her homework. I'm thinking I should have just homeschooled her for at least the first year. Then the big issue, how do you "undo" a 12 year old that has been institutionalized for over 3/4 of her life? There are problems, and it is very frustrating, but life can be that way sometimes.