Bridgepointe Therapy will be hosting groups for children who were adopted on Saturdays in May at our adoption therapy office in Charleston, SC. The focus of these groups will be how to handle questions or comments from peers or adults about adoption. Often, kids are asked personal questions about their adoption story or may be singled out to say something about adoption if the topic arises in class. This can make children and teens feel uncomfortable and forced to share private information about their history.
Often times, other children and even adults ask intrusive questions, use insensitive adoption-language or highlight a child’s adoption history in a public way. Even when others have good intentions, adoptees are often left trying to answer or respond while experiencing strong feelings of sadness, embarrassment, shame or anger. Your adopted child may even be getting asked questions by peers and not telling you about it because of how upsetting the experience may be.
Common questions that adopted children and teens are asked include:
- Why were you adopted?
- How come your “real parents” didn’t want you?
- Are you REALLY adopted?! (As if adoption is such a strange thing)
- Why don’t you look like your parents?
- Why did your parents give you up?
These questions can be extremely private and might be questions that you haven’t fully explored with your child due to their age or difficult information about their adoption history. While some children are comfortable and happy talking about adoption and their adoption story, many others may feel forced to share more than they are comfortable disclosing, feel “different” or the questions may bring up sadness about missing their birth family or birth culture.
The purpose of the Adoption Groups is to prepare children and teens for handling these questions, helping them understand why others ask questions about adoption and practice strategies for dealing with these difficult situations. In addition to these hands-on skills, children and teens will also benefit from the adoption groups by having fun with other adopted peers and exploring feelings and experiences related to being adopted in a safe space. For more information about supporting your child in how to handle questions, read PACT’s article with ideas for parents.
Bridgepointe Therapy Adoption Groups for Kids and Teens will be held in Charleston, SC on Saturdays in May 2019:
May 4thth 10am-12pm: 2nd – 4th Grades
May 11th 10am-12pm: 3rd – 5th Grades
The registration fee is $60 and includes materials and a snack. Register early to ensure your child’s space in the group! Registration will cap at 8 participants per group. Contact Emily for more information or to register.
Bridgepointe Therapy 