Every adopted child goes into the so-called transition phase.   This is one of the crucial stage in his life wherein he must learn to live away from the family he used to have.  His former family may be the orphanage, a foster family, or his birth family.  The child in his young age must be helped out in this stage.  Somebody has to be there willing and able to understand his present undertaking and someone who can answer the most important questions about him, his former family, and the reason behind his being an adopted child.

The present foster/adoptive family can use stuffs that would serve as the child’s constant companion and would remind him of his journey in life-
starting from birth until the present.  These stuffs where suggested by experts to the child in his transition phase:

Lifebook - contains the story of his life which is represented by words, pictures, or documents.  This would include not just the events but also the relevant people and places in his life.

Lifemaps or lifepaths – is a visual representation of his journey in life. The age is highlighted and important events and the people who were with him at the age is mentioned.

The blanket and pillows he used to have in his stay with his former family – some people find it comforting to have continually get hold of something that reminds him about the comfort and goodness he used to experience with his former companion in life.

Aside from the things helpful in lessening the child’s despair, some talks between the foster parent and the child.  In some cases, foster parents seek the aid of counselors or psychologists who can help them explain everything to the child.

The foster parent must initiate the heart-to-heart talk with the adopted child.  The adoptive parent must also be open to any questions.  Also, they must have a ready answer.  Some couples/parents can ask the assistance of a counselor or psychologist in order to really have a successful process of dealing with the present sate of adoption, the transition phase.

The most important aspect in this phase would have to be the loving individuals willing to accept and support him.  The foster parent must show their willingness to accept him, including his past.  The child’s former caretaker can also be of great help.  The former caretaker must show that it’s another stage of his life that he must face and nothing should be feared about it.

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