Adoptive parents can be a great asset for building relationships between their children. Below, I will share with you ideas and ways to help build or strengthen relationships for the adoptee and other siblings.

• Having one of the siblings teach something to the other one i.e. reading, drawing, counting, it can be anything. This can cause a healthy reaction and leads to bonding.

• Have them learn a new sport or skill together. This can allow them time together learning and practicing; this can be dancing, gymnastics, swimming, piano, painting. This can be anything that you think they both would enjoy doing. I have tried this with my two daughters; they do enjoy sharing the experience with each other.

• Set up fun activities for the two that are struggling with their relationship, like cooking, taking care of the pets, making a craft, etc. to give them memories to build on.

• You can guide the two siblings together over different things that allow them to share and become connected with each other. My oldest daughter is getting a horse, and one of the things that came up in the process is how would she care for her horse when she went to college. Though college is five years away, but I am glad she is thinking ahead. I saw an opportunity to "force the relationship", since my baby daughter loves animals. I guided her to think of her baby sister, and then we talked about how she would have to spend a lot of time with her little sister teaching her. They are both excited about this, and I am loving it. Yeah, long term bonding a mother’s dream.

You can use the things that happen in your children's lives or things they are involved in to help build their relationships. This is not a sure thing, but it is worth trying to help an adoptee form a long term relationships to his or her siblings.

Related posts:

Adoptee Bonding with Siblings

Adoptee and Sibling Struggles with Their Relationship