When your adopted teen displays inappropriate behavior at home, is your knee-jerk reaction to lash back in anger?

Entering the adolescent years is already a hard enough task—but adopted teens also have to grapple with the loss of their birth parents. And many times, this inner turmoil comes out as disrespect and ungratefulness.

I’ve seen many adoptive parents respond to this crisis by trying to ignore it. They ask their child things like, “How can you feel this way after all we’ve done for you?” Or, “How can you question our love for you, after everything we’ve sacrificed?”

These questions will do more to harm than help your relationship with your adopted teen. Instead, stand next to him in his losses, and don’t deny them. Now’s the time to reaffirm your love for your child!

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