Being a good adoptive mom requires patience, understanding and unconditional love. Adoptive parents must be willing to accept the child for who they are and provide them with a safe and nurturing home environment. Good adoptee moms should also respect and honor their child's birth family culture as well as their own family values. They should strive to create an atmosphere of support, empathy, trust, security and open communication in order to build strong relationships between parent, child and extended family members. It is important that adoptive mothers recognize the unique challenges faced by adopted children including feeling different from other children or having difficulty connecting with their biological families. With these challenges come opportunities for growth which can be addressed through counseling or therapy when necessary. Ultimately it is important that adoptive mothers practice self-care so they have the energy needed to nurture both themselves and their children no matter what life brings them on this journey of adoption together.