Parenting an adopted child
For many people, adopting a child is a way to start or grow a family. For others who are already part of a child’s life, adoption brings a change in legal status and sometimes in role (e.g., when a parent’s partner becomes a parent).
Whether you have completed or are in the process of completing a regular, mixed bank (foster‑to‑adopt), intra‑family, or international adoption, it is a unique experience. In some ways, the things you experience will be similar to what any new parent goes through. However, there are other aspects that are specific to adoptive families.
Life as an adoptive family
All adoptions come with a long list of mandatory legal steps. These can be accompanied by a range of emotions and challenges. Once the adoption is official, the new parents have the same rights and obligations as biological parents.
For a child, being adopted is a very significant life event. Each child reacts in their own way, depending on their personality, age, and adoption context. It can be more challenging for some children than others.
But in every adoption, the adoptive parent has to create a secure attachment bond with the child (see Bonding). It takes effort, as adoption is often linked to feelings of abandonment and the breaking of ties with the biological parent, which can create insecurity.
Nevertheless, most adopted children overcome these challenges and don’t have any major long‑term difficulties. That said, these children need all the support they can get to succeed.
For adoptive parents, it is important to learn about the adoption process and how to support your child throughout their development. There are support organizations that specialize in adoption. Check with your CLSC.
The following organizations are among the resources you can contact.
Association des parents adoptants du Québec
parentsadoptants.org
Comité de concertation adoption Québec (COCON adoption)
coconadoption.ca/
Association de parents pour l’adoption québécoise
parentsadoptants.org (in French only)