[Normal]

We just sent our homestudy to be considered for an out of state sibling group (2 girls, 12 and 14).

It got us thinking about that first meeting if we get selected. What kinds of activities (games, crafts) should we do with a teenager or pre-teen during those first couple of visits? What should we talk about? Any suggestions on how to approach first meetings with older kids?

[quiescentfury]

There are a lot of great things you can do with teens. If they are at your home you can make your own sundaes or pizzas or make and decorate cookies, you can play board games, walk to the park, go bowling, or go play basketball at the playground.

Good Luck!!! We adopted three older children from foster care. 2 we fostered first and one we did a straight adoption from foster care. We decorated easter eggs when he came over.

[Angelnetty]

We found that for the 1st few visits, it was better to keep it pretty low-key. We brought little goodie bags (it was right after Easter 2011) with some candy, teddy bear, and little toys. Then we brought some puzzles that we all sat around and did together and they looked at our Lifebook and asked us questions about that... :-)
Good Luck!