International adoptive parents most often first meet their child when they travel to the child’s birth country for the adoption. What can they do to take advantage of this time in country to bond with their child. Listen to the following radio show (click here)
and hear Rachel Lee, a psychologist and director of adoption for Dillon International’s California office and Michelle Moreau, a social worker and Post Placement Coordinator & Program Support for Hopscotch Adoptions discuss the following questions:
- International adoption varies by country with some countries have a long stay in country while others relatively short. How long are adoptive parents in their child’s birth country?
- Why is it important to visit with your child at the orphanage if possible?
- What should the parents try to observe while they are at the orphanage?
- What can new adoptive parents learn from watching their child in a familiar environment?
- What are examples of games that are good to play with your child while you are in country?
- What are the signs of attachment between the baby or child and his caregiver?
- How can you help you child transition from the orphanage to your care?
- How does being attuned to your child help with attachment?
- How can adoptive parents take care of themselves while traveling to adopt and why is that important to bonding with their child?
- How can parents facilitate attachment in country?
- What should parents do if their child has nightmares or night terrors when they are first placed with their adoptive parents?
- What is meant by “regressing” the child?
- Why is regressing important to attachment?
- How can parents regress their internationally adopted child?
- What are the most crucial areas for parents to consider for regression?
- Why is it important to utilize the five senses when helping your child attach?
- What things should you buy while you are traveling in your child’s birth country that will help with attachment once you are home?