More on Finally Home
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
During that first year of transition parents can do many things to ease the impact and help make it a great year. Along with beginning to build a trusting relationship by giving extra nurturing it is important to play with your child.
Many children who are adopted later in infancy or childhood have missed the joys of play. So intentionally set aside at least 20 minutes a day just to play with your child. If your child can already keep playing. Play cements relationships. Having fun as a family builds self-esteem. If your child is reluctant to play gradually stretch him by taking little steps.
Another step in easing the transition is to talk together. Parents often use an exaggerated voice tone to emphasize important concepts with babies. Continue to cheerlead your newly adopted child using this brighter emotional tone as he works to understand your shared world. Patiently explain things to him. Freely use fingers and gestures to point out important things. Allow yourself to describe things as you would to an infant. Talk. Talk. Talk about everything.
Finally, it is important to gently but firmly deal with negative behavior. It is best to stay within arms' reach of your newly adopted child intentionally directing their arms, hands, bodies, etc. to where you want them to go. Firmly stop hitting, kicking or hurting. Teach them boundaries of respect from the beginning.
We will discuss two more important steps to easing the transition the next time. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments. I look forward to hearing them.
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