Keep it honest, simple, and age-appropriate. Tell them a new brother or sister is joining your family, invite their questions, and validate all of their feelings. Match the details to their age, and protect the new sibling’s private story when you talk with others, including children already in your family.
Readiness looks different for everyone, but some common signs include feeling genuinely curious about adoption, imagining parenthood outside of pregnancy, and noticing that hope is slowly returning. You don’t need to feel fully healed. Emotional readiness is a gradual shift, not a sudden decision.
There is no required waiting period; readiness is personal, not time-based. What matters most is that you’ve had space to grieve and feel genuinely open to exploring a new path. Some families move toward adoption within months; others take years. Both are valid.
Open Arms Adoptions is 501(c)3 non-profit agency licensed by the State of Ohio.
