Thoughts on Older Child Adoption

I have been thinking a lot about older child adoption recently. We are working on a book to help older children to be more prepared for adoption--the good, the bad and the ugly. We would like to include some letters from children who have been adopted at an older age and who have some advice for children making the adjustment. If you or your child would be willing to contribute to this project, please contact me: marcisk@asiadopt.org

As I journey through my thoughts on this topic, I wonder, what would be the most important questions to ask an older child when making such a huge, life changing decision? What would you want to tell a child making this decision? Once a child makes the decision to be adopted, what do you feel are the most important points to convey to them before they meet their new parents? What do you wish your child had known before placement?

We do not want to be a part of a placement where an older child did not willingly make the decision to be adopted. No child should be pressured into this decision. I can't even imagine having to make such a huge decision at the age of 11, 12 or 13. At that age, what color shoes you are going to wear with your outfit is a huge decision! It's hard for me to think a teenager can even comprehend this kind of decision. Therefore, we are going to try to help them with that--not sway them one way or the other, just help them to think about and make the best decision possible for themself....