[MenloAve]

As you know we haven't been home for long, but i'm just starting to think about when/if we will do a sibling/birthparent search for our daughter. She has three older siblings - one just aged out of the orphanage system. They have no knowledge that she exists and they are all in the orphanage system. We have just names, ages/birthdates for them. No pictures or medical info of the family at all.

I'm also not yet prepared for actual contact with the siblings - since we really need to get through her attachment and transition here in the US. But I know at some point I am going to have to tell her that she has three brothers/sisters and I know she is going to ask about them. They also have much more information about their parents since they were home much longer and had more contact. Since they are/were all in the orphanges in the area I asked for info and pictures when there and was told no - and not given much wiggle room in that answer.

Did anyone here do a search in Poland? How did you go about it? When did you do it? Has anyone dealt with siblings that are still in Poland? What about the siblings shock that they have a sibling that they know nothing about? Is there anyway to get info without telling them about their sister until she is older and can decide what she wants to do?

Thanks

[taia]

My children have an older brother. They remember him. They saw him last time 5 or so years ago. My daughter once mentioned to me that she didn't remember his face anymore and would like to have his picture, so she could remember him. She didn't care to remember her biological parents. She is 11 now.
I found their brother on a Polish web site called "Nasza klasa." I copied his pictures but haven't shown them to my kids yet. I am not sure what would the contact with him do to us. It is still less than two years since they came to live with me.

[LongJourneyHome]

I see Taia already mentioned the Nasza-Klasa website.

There's a good chance older siblings are already on the site. - Very high probability.

Children as young as 6 years old are already registered on the site. Most have pictures.

There is also a 2nd Polish social website, called Grono.net

grono.net - internetowa społeczność przyjaciół

But Nasza-Klasa is by far, the most popular website.

[LongJourneyHome]

If you visit the Grono.net webpage. You'll notice the letters PL and EN just above the search box.

You can view the website in Polish or English.

[MenloAve]

I have similar concerns around contact with little time home and absolutely no previous history with the siblings. But I know she is going to want to know in the future, we don't want to hide the info, and I have no info to share really. I almost think the unknown is easier to dream about than the known. So a picture in her lifebook should be enough until she is older. I'll check the website and see what is there.

The internet enables you to do quite a bit of research now. Truly amazing.

[taia]

Since then I discussed the issue with my daughter's psychologist and she advised me not to bring up the existence of the older sibling. She said it is too early and the results could be unpredictable.