An adopted child has the same emotional and physical needs as any other child. As a parent of an adopted child, you have the same responsibilities and concerns as any other parent. But adoption adds another dimension to parenting. The fact that adopted children are not living with either of their biological parents can be a source of insecurity and apprehension for both children and parents. It's important for parents to come to terms with this difference openly and honestly and make sure that they treat their adopted child the same way they would treat a biological child. If your child was adopted, he or she may also experience many conflicting emotions-grief, fear, anger, identity confusion-about the adoption. The best way to help your child deal with such emotions is by communicating about the adoption openly. In the end, most adopted children are secure, happy, and well adjusted and have a deep, loving, long-lasting relationship with their adoptive parents.

Some children are adopted when they are older, after spending some time in one or more foster homes or in an orphanage. The environment in which a child was previously raised can have a significant impact on his or her physical and emotional health. Some children may not have received affection, stimulation, adequate medical care, or even basic needs, such as adequate nutrition, in their previous home. Some may have been physically abused and incurred severe emotional problems. The long-term consequences of these early experiences on a child are often difficult to predict. Learn as much as you can about the child's early experience, so you will be able to give the child the necessary support and understanding. Many families can get their adopted children on the right track simply by providing a warm, secure, and loving home in which they can reach their full potential.

If you have adopted a child from another country, teach your child about the country in which he or she was born to instill an appreciation of its culture and history. Form a play group with other parents who have adopted children from the same country so your child has playmates with a similar life experience. If your child is of a different race from you, he or she will like having friends who resemble him or her. Your adoption agency can help you find resources, such as an ethnic cultural center or summer camp, devoted to preserving the culture of your child's birth country. You may even want to give your child language lessons in his or her native tongue. Above all, always show that you accept and love your child just as he or she is.

Experts agree that adopted children raised in a family that feels comfortable talking about adoption are more likely to be emotionally well adjusted. As parents, your level of comfort in talking about adoption with your child will disclose how you feel about adoption and will influence your child's own feelings about it. He or she may think there is something bad about being adopted if it is kept a secret. The worst way for your child to find out that he or she is adopted is from someone other than you. Hearing about the adoption from you lets your child know that adoption is good and that you can be trusted.

Begin telling your child that he or she was adopted during infancy to make being adopted part of the child's identity from a young age. Don't just talk about the adoption once; repeat the story, adding more and more information