If you adopted children when would you tell them they are adopted?

I think that since the boy is already 3 years old, he would already have a sense of what's going on. My own point of view on this issue is that they should know as early as possible. The children should be made aware and the adoptive parents need to make them feel that being adopted is not bad, not something to be mad about and not something to be embarrassed about. If the parents treat them the same and the children feel that they are loved and treated equally with the biological kids, then the adopted children will not see anything wrong with being adopted and they will grow understanding their circumstances and will not blame the parents for not telling them or for hiding things from them.

I think that she should tell them. I'm not sure when exactly she should do that. Kids are very smart. We tend to underestimate their intelligence. They may even ask if they are adopted. I feel that adopted kids should know. Most times they don't even care that they are adopted and are happy to have a family who loves and cares for them. I guess put yourself in their shoes. Would you want to know? I know I would. I'd also rather be told that to just stumble across it one day and have to think about why it was hidden from me.

If I would adopt a kid, I would surely tell him that he is adopted - I think that's the correct thing to do. But I dont mean to say that this could be told like: "Hey son, you're adopted!" and it's done. Things like these are sensitive, therefore it should be done at the right time - at the time when the kid can completely comprehend what I'm going to tell. It's quite sure that the kid will hurt inside but I think it would be a lot worse if he'd live in one great lie, not to mention the fact that he might even be growing up wondering why we have no physical simiarities at all and with all other people wondering with him.

I am an adoptive mother. My children have known since they were young about age 2 that they were adopted. I explained to the boys that I didn't carry them in my tummy but I didn't get to choose who I wanted to be apart of my family and that I chose them because I knew how specail they are. I have always believed that you should tell a child while they are young because if you wait till they are older there is a chance that they will resent you.

I would start slow, tell them things about it when they are younger (simple things), and then as they get older they will know the basics but may want to know more details, which she can then explain to them.

I think once they are old enough to understand you need to tell them. I applaud your friend for adopting! So many children need loving homes and sometimes they just get lost in the foster system.

I definitely think she should tell them but wait until they are little bit older when they can understand better.

I would let them know when they are of such an age when they have the ability to understand the reason why we adopted him, that its not his fault that he didnt have a real parent ,and lastlly when he will be able to accept us his real parents not to ask the question of adoption again,for that i feel 14-15 is the best age.

i'll tell them the truth that i adopted them...when they are in their right age..like they can understand what i'm telling to them

Well,your friend is really a nice person.God bless her.I have a kid of myself.And if i can't have a baby,i will adopt one.If i adopt him or her,i will not let he or she know the truth. I will just let they feel they are not different from other kids.And they are not adopted and not abondoned by their biological parents.I want them to be happy as other kids who have a complete family.