|
I usually start it with a little "Tell me again about the night I was born" by Jamie Lee Curtis. Not all of it applies to ethan, since he was adopted via foster care, so whenver I get to a part that doesn't apply, I add some commentary. For example, after I read that the mommy and daddy get on a plane to get their baby, I tell him, "mommy didn't have to get on a plane, we just went in the car. First we had to go and get you a car seat b/c we did not have one. Then we drove to the hospital to meet you....you were beautiful...." We also talk about how we had to go to court and the judge said we get to be a family forever....now, that is usually the point where my 3 years old asks, "judge judy?"...and I realize I watch too much court t.v. We talk about different parts of his adoption story at different times...the whole story is too long for one sitting...and some parts are better left for when he gets older. But we talk about how he had another mommy and daddy and other brothers and sisters. The important part when they are little is to just keep reinforcing that you are so glad that they came to be a part of your family. We also made a hard backed book at a website full of our own pictures as our case progressed, so sometimes we read through that as well. We keep it simple, like, "look, here is Ethan when his name used to be Nick. Mommy and Daddy got a phone call that said a little boy needed a family. We were so happy! When we met you we thought you were the cutest little thing ever. We took you home and everyone loved you. Look, there you are at court with your family., Do you see the judge? He said we get to be a family forever. That was the day you were adopted. You are adopted, just like your brother and sister. Soon Eli will be adopted, too. I am so happy we got to adopt you and you got to be a part of our family forever." If you get a book as a jumping off point, your "story" will come naturally to you...and like you said, will change over time. Good luck!
|