[Mommamia]

Greetings,

My husband and I are looking to adopt an older child between 3-6. We already have a bio. child who is 4 1/2. Concerns of friends and family is the intense help a post instutional older child might need (ie, therapy etc) How can I answer this question for them and for myself. At what price to other children in the family to introduce a new family member with the possibility of great psych. and emotional problems?

Thanks for any help and advice,

Mommamia

[lucyjoy]

Read everything you can about attachment parenting so you'll know what issues to look for and what parenting and therapy would best fit your child. I personally recommend home schooling any incoming child for at least 6 months to give them time to adjust to a new family, new rules, and new house before tackling a new school(it also cuts down on manipulation). It also gives you more bonding time, and if the other child is in school, you get the benefit of one on one time.
As for the family and friends, just politely tell them thank you for being concerned.