n development is in fact more fragile. Most of our kids start out with tremendous fear and loss as they enter our homes. We may have been waiting for them all our lives, but the reality is thMany parents who chose to adopt from China assume that they can employ mainstream parenting strategies with their adoptive child. Bookstores, friends, and family are full of advice on topics such as sleep, discipline, and supporting normal development. Some of the advice can certainly be helpful, but some simply is not useful when you have a child that has experienced traumatic events such as separation from a birthmother, time in an orphanage, or the sudden loss of a foster family.

It is crucial to honor your child's unique beginnings when choosing your own parenting strategies. Despite our cultural belief that children are "resilient," the reality is that a child who has gone through such life-changing events during one of the most critical periods of brain development is in fact more fragile. Most of our kids start out with tremendous fear and loss as they enter our homes. We may have been waiting for them all our lives, but the reality is tha

ch as sleep, discipline, and supporting normal development. Some of the advice can certainly be helpful, but some simply is not useful when you have a child that has experienced traumatic events such as separation from a birthmother, time in an orphanage, or the sudden loss of a foster family.

It is crucial to honor your child's unique beginnings when choosing your own parenting strategies. Despite our cultural belief that children are "resilient," the reality is that a child who has gone through such life-changing events during one of the most critical periods of brain development is in fact more fragile. Most of our kids start out with tremendous fear and loss as they enter our homes. We may have been waiting for them all our lives, but the reality is th

such as separation from a birthmother, time in an orphanage, or the sudden loss of a foster family.

It is crucial to honor your child's unique beginnings when choosing your own parenting strategies. Despite our cultural belief that children are "resilient," the reality is that a child who has gone through such life-changing events during one of the most critical periods of brain development is in fact more fragile. Most of our kids start out with tremendous fear and loss as they enter our homes. We may have been waiting for them all our lives, but the reality is th

strategies. Despite our cultural belief that children are "resilient," the reality is that a child who has gone through such life-changing events during one of the most critical periods of brain development is in fact more fragile. Most of our kids start out with tremendous fear and loss as they enter our homes. We may have been waiting for them all our lives, but the reality is thn development is in fact more fragile. Most of our kids start out with tremendous fear and loss as they enter our homes. We may have been waiting for them all our lives, but the reality is that they have been uprooted from everything they know. Our kids are in need of loving, consistent, gentle parenting to nurture a deep emotional connection with their new families. They also need a structured environment where limits are clear and parents are comfortable being in the leadership role.

PARENTING TIP: Work on creating an emotionally safe environment for your child. Your child may be physically in your home, but will not really "come home" to you until they truly feel safe. Be sure to look at things from your child’s perspective and ask yourself, "Is there any behavior on my end that I need to change to make my child feel safer? Don’t be dismayed if the answer is "yes." None of us are perfect and the goal is to be a "good enough" parent, not a p