Convey newly discovered medical information. Be direct in the expression of feelings. Consider mediation in the event of major misunderstanding or disagreement. Consider sharing our experience for the benefit of others. Although both birth parents and adoptive parents are concerned about this question, an adopted child is actually less likely to be confused in an open adoption.
Children always fare better with concrete information, as opposed to abstract concepts.
Through contact with their birth parents, open adoption allows children to put a visual image to these terms and helps them understand the role of birth parents in their lives. To the adopted child, birth parents are often looked upon as extended family members, comparable to that of an aunt or uncle. Birth parents become a known reality, rather than an unknown figure, which facilitates understanding. Because birth parents are able to see the child being well cared for and loved in the adoptive home, they are reassured that the child has the kind of life they wanted for him or her. Had they not been able to see their child, it would only increase their fear that the child was not being cared for.