Welcome! This group is for parents of older children who have been adopted at the age of 5 or older, either domestically or internationally. This list is meant to help families discuss and cope with the realities of a child who may not be able to "catch up" in their pre-teen or teen years with peers their own age. It is about accepting our children's milestones when they come and celebrating who those children are and will become. Though issues such as attachment, RAD and special needs are discussed, we mainly focus on developmental issues.

As a personal testimony, I have 2 children adopted from China at age 9 years old. They were both developmentally and socially delayed, but are developing at their own social pace...meaning they may have been at a "6-year-old" when they came home, but each year they age and develop one year. Eventually I am convinced (in their 20's) they will be at the same level as other adults. They just cannot "catch up" with their same-age American peers who were raised in families instead of orphanages.

Welcome all!

For those who wish to discuss children who are adopted between the ages of 3-5 years, please visit the following YahooGroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adopt3-5years/ Thank you!