Appropriate Things to Say to an Adoptive Family After an Adoption Falls Through

By Karen Ledbetter

"I'm here for you."
"You're in my thoughts and prayers."
"I'm a good listener if you want to talk about it."
"I'm sorry."
"Let me know if there's anything I can do."
"I know that I can never understand what you are going through, but I would like to try."
"I will be here for you no matter what, no matter when, because I love you and care about you."
"Would you like to talk about it over coffee?"
"I'll be glad to watch your other child(ren) so you can take a walk."
"Let's take a walk so you can talk and I can listen."

© Karen Ledbetter 2001 - Many thanks to my Cybermom friends who contributed their thoughts on this issue.

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