It's difficult to know exactly how adopted babies feel, as they can't articulate their emotions. However, understanding the potential emotional landscape of older adopted children, based on available information, can offer insights. Adopted children may experience a complex range of emotions. According to the provided reference, they may struggle with feeling rejected by their birth family and/or like they don't fit into their adoptive family.
Potential Feelings of Adopted Children:
- Rejection: A child might feel rejected by their birth family, leading to feelings of sadness, anger, or confusion.
- Displacement: They may struggle to fit into their adoptive family, feeling like an outsider or different from other family members.
- Confusion: Understanding why they were adopted can be confusing and emotionally challenging.
- Grief: Adopted children may grieve the loss of their birth family and their original life.
- Love and Security: Importantly, adopted children also feel love, security, and belonging within their adoptive families.
Reconciling Emotions:
Negative feelings can trigger negative behaviors as a child attempts to reconcile these emotions. Parents can help their adopted child by:
- Open Communication: Creating a safe space for open and honest conversations about their feelings.
- Validation: Validating their emotions and acknowledging the complexity of their experience.
- Professional Support: Seeking professional support from therapists or counselors specializing in adoption.
- Building Connection: Focusing on building a strong and loving connection within the adoptive family.
