The language adoptive parents choose to communicate with their children carries profound weight, shaping not only our children’s understanding of themselves but conveying the values we hold dear. How do we create relationships that will foster conversations to understand our children’s perspectives and guide them in their development? In this training, we will delve into the various developmental stages of adopted children, exploring how their diverse experiences can be harnessed to nurture their identity formation. We will navigate the complex intersections of identity to empower parents to engage in meaningful dialogue that fosters connection and understanding.
Presenter:
Raquel Vivanco, an adoptive mother to two young adults, is a Program Director and Parent Education Manager at Pact, an Adoption Alliance. Pact is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting adopted children of color and their families. For more than 30 years, Pact has provided education, support, and professional training centered on adoption, race, identity, and family. Their work is grounded in an honest, child-centered, and anti-racist approach, incorporating the lived experiences of adoptees, first/birth parents, and adoptive families.