How do I prepare my older child for an adopted sibling?

If you have older children when you adopt a baby, you'll have to answer different questions about babies and families. Finding age-appropriate books about adoption can help you talk about how the adoption process works and how your older child will become a sibling.

The unpredictable timing of an adoption placement can be difficult for your other children. Sometimes the wait for adoption is quite long, but the placement might happen quickly. The possibility of both waiting and rushing might make the transition to becoming a sibling stressful.

If your newly adopted child is not a baby, the transition to sibling relationships happens at a different pace. Your other children will experience the challenges of sharing not only you but also toys and space. It also might be difficult for children to understand the amount of time and attention an adopted sibling needs initially, even though the adopted child seems "old enough."

A new sibling will undoubtedly change your family. As your older child adjusts, reassure him or her of your love. Explain that he or she has an important role to play now, too — that of big brother or big sister.