It very common to see blended families in adoption. Often parents already have had biological children, yet felt a strong desire to adopt. Each path that leads to adoption is unique and special. Blended families can be very successful, especially as all members of the family are apart of the adoption process. Other topics that overlap and can help are: Adoption Conversations & Life Story, Transracial Families, and Attachment. Your birth child will also need the same open conversations about adoption that is developmentally appropriate. We encourage parents to start with the following resource: Positive Adoption Conversations: An Adoptive Families Guide. This resource guide is not an all-inclusive list, but rather a tool to help you access the information you need.

AAPA Blended Families: Adopted and Birth Children (PDF)