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My AD is 3.5 years old, and I've had her since she turned one. Her bio family has a long history with CPS and issues with the law, and she has four half siblings who were taken away as well - this was before she was born.
Her bio father is unknown. I understand that three of the siblings are with extended family, and one is in foster care.
She knows she's adopted, but doesn't yet truly understand what this means. She is very happy, well adjusted, and highly intelligent, and it's just a matter of time before she begins making connections and asking questions.
I would be totally ok with an open adoption if the situation was different, but with things being as they are, I'm fearful of making contact with any of the family members because of some of the criminal history.
I am planning on giving her age-appropriate information during her formative years (what I know, at least), but at some point want her to be aware of her entire past story before she reaches her teenage years.
If any of you have any advice on what I should be keeping in mind so I can make sure that any disclosures don't harm her image of herself in any way, I would love to hear it! I also would like to know how not reaching out to any bio family on her behalf while she is young is going to affect our relationship as she gets older.