- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- iparenting adoption articles
- iparenting adoption q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
A New Grandchild to Love
When Your Children Adopt Children By Teri Brown
As with all major life changes, adoption is both a wonderful and challenging experience, filled with excitement, adjustment and joy. This is no less true for the grandparents perhaps even more so, as they watch their own beloved children dealing with all the emotions that come with adopting a child.
Mary Ann Konkols, from Arlington Heights, Ill., is the proud grandmother to four grandchildren, all of whom are adopted.
"Both of my daughters were unable to conceive and both went through infertility treatments," says Konkols. "It was certainly the next step they wanted to take, and I've had positive experiences with adoption. My two best friends life-long friends are adopted, so I understood more about it than most people."
Because of her prior experience, Konkols knows how wonderful adoption can be. She also knows the process is sometimes challenging. "The process is what it is, and there were disappointments," says Konkols. "Even through the disappointments, we kept in mind that when it was the right baby, it would be right."
The most important thing is for grandparents to be there for their children any way they can. "Be supportive of their decision," says Konkols. "To me it was the next step for them, and a wonderful one for them to pursue. There are so many children who need love, and that's what it's all about. Keeping that in mind certainly can help grandparents."
"Grandparents are a key support system to the adoptive family, and the more educated they are on adoption-related issues, the better they are able to support and embrace their new grandchild," says MacDougall. "The seminars help involved grandparents embrace adoption as a positive way for their children to build their family and relieve many common misconceptions and fears."