[Txmom001]

We are hoping to adopt our 2 FD's go to mediation in July so everyone please pray for our family. In our situation our FD's are 2 and 3yrs old and are a group of 8 children total. We have the youngest two, the others are in a shelter in our town. We have visits with them every few weeks now (the parents have been out of the picture for a few months so no visits with them) and the other children will be going with different family members out of state so it will not be possible for us to continue the visits. I am considering putting pictures in the girls room of our family and their birth family. What do you guys think? Will this make it easier or harder on them? I want to be sure they understand that they can talk about their birth family and ask questions so I feel the PICS will help with that but at the same time I think that it may be easier if they dont see a reminder of them everyday. We are also moving after the adoption is complete so I think that will be easier for them because now when we are driving in town they think the siblings are at the park, Mcdonalds, pool.... anywhere we have had a visit the think they kids are there and want to go. So please give me your advice. I am also making a life book for each FD and plan to include pics of the familles there.

[Linny]

For one thought:

I think the photos on the wall is a great idea; but perhaps---because of their age---a little too much at the moment.

It might be better---at this time---to compile the lifebooks, and make sure that they are completely assessable to the children, so that if/when they have questions, all they have to do is pull out the book too.

And for the other thought:

I think you'll have to take the cues from them too. Maybe you should just 'ask them' to see if they want extra photos on their walls? I could see that initially, they might; but that it might not be such a big thing after awhile....then return again as they get older and better able to understand.

Sincerely,

Linny