[Malificient]

csimmons, here's an idea, since the tpr is very close, why not start calling her by the new name while using her birth name as her middle name. For instance, let's say her birth name is Renee. And your wanting to change it to Amanda. When you talk to her address her "Amanda Renee." Continue doing this for a while, she'll start recognizing the new name, and once the adoption becomes final, and you know she's 'forever yours...." you can begin to drop the renee off the end of her first name and she'll be known as Amanda there after? make sense....? that's just my thoughts. We plan on fostering a child first, and when we find a child we are able to adopt, between the ages of 2 and 6 yrs. that's what we are planning on doing. Tell her we love her birth name, we will keep it on her birth certificate, but when we adopt her we will give her a new middle name and she will have our families last name as well. Once the tpr. has occured and were in the waiting phase to adopt, we will start addressing her by her birth name with her new middle name, IF she's comfortable with that idea. If not, or if her birth name is just unappealing, we could always come up with an endearing nick name. there's alot of ways to make a new child entering into your home and lives feel like part of her new family. Hope this has helped answer your question. ps. I know some posters may disagree with my thoughts, they may say, "she's 5 yrs. old, you have no business changing any part of her name." I say, if the child wants to and if we her new parents, want to, than that's what is important. Your not taking away her identity, your giving her something special and personal, if she's old enough, she should have a say on what a new name for her can be, too! malificient.