How early should I talk about adoption with my adopted child?

Start those adoption chats early. Begin using the term “adoption” during your child’s early toddler and preschool years to help you feel at ease. Just look for natural ways to bring up the topic such as a friend who is pregnant, a book, or a program on television or movie about adoption. Believe it or not, one of the biggest mistakes is that many parents try to shield their child from knowing the truth about their adoption too long. Of course, they do so out of love, but waiting until “the best time” or “when he’s older and can understand” actually makes those tougher questions like “Why did your parents give you up?” harder for the child to handle and assert.

Start talking about adoption casually and positively from day one. If you open up the subject, then when your child is ready, he or she will know that it is ok to discuss.