Adopting and Parenting the Older Child

An Interview with Trish Maskew,
Author of "Our Own - Adopting and Parenting the Older Child"

Interview By Allison Martin

Trish Maskew works for the Children's House International adoption agency, . She is also the mother of three children, including two boys who were adopted at ages five and nine. "Our Own - Adopting and Parenting the Older Child" is a practical guide to adoption of older children.

What prompted you to write "Our Own"?

Trish Maskew: When my husband and I adopted our older kids, there wasn't much information available about older kids, their adjustments and the long term issues of adoptees. We constantly had questions that we could not find answers for. The information that was available tended to be one sided--either very negative information about all the problems these kids could have, or assurances that all the normal adjustments and issues would go away with love and a good home. Too often, the available books were filled with psychological jargon and seemed too clinical for the average parent. Also, none of the books that we found addressed international adoption at all.  I came to feel that what adoptive parents needed, and indeed what we needed, was a reader-friendly book that covered the broad range of topics that every parent of an older child should be informed about.

What have you found to be most difficult in adopting an older child?

Trish Maskew: I think the most difficult thing for me as a parent has been the realization that I can't fix the scars of their earlier life. We spend a great deal of time addressing the "core issues" of abandonment and rejection, grief and loss, etc. and we have made a tremendous amount of progress. On the other hand, no matter how normal these feelings are and no matter how much progress we make in helping them understand why they feel the things they do, there is nothing we can do that will make the original pain and scars go away. They will always be there, and they will always affect their lives to some degree.

What has been rewarding?

Trish Maskew: There have been so many rewarding things I couldn't possibly name them all. A couple that instantly come to mind:

o Watching our kids grow to love us and accept us as their parents.
o Knowing that we've made a difference in their lives.
o Seeing the tremendous progress that they have all made in understanding their lives.

Our kids have filled our lives with joy and happiness!

What questions should parents ask, or type of information would be useful, when they seek to adopt an older child?

Trish Maskew: Do I have the qualities it will take to parent an older child--flexibility, committment, perserverence, a sense of humor? Can I accept that my child had a life before me and that no matter how good of a home I provide, there will always be things they regret and long for? Can I understand, empathize, and support my child's right to know and embrace their birth culture?

Where has the child been living? Does the child have any behavioral or emotional problems that have made it difficult for them to find a home? How many times has the child been moved, including back and forth to the birthparents? Does the child want to be adopted?

What advice do you have for parents who are have adopted older children?

Trish Maskew: Read, read, read! Learn as much as you can about normal adjustment issues, the lifelong core issues that affect adoptees, and trauma.  Read things that are written from the perspective of the adoptee too! Talk to experienced adoptive parents and ask about their experiences.

If your child is misbehaving or continuing to react in the same way regardless of what you try, dig a little deeper. Much of the "misbehavior" common to kids adopted at an older age is really the child's way of expressing underlying emotion. The more educated you become, the more you will be able to help your child.

Could you tell us a little about your current activities and plans for the future?

Trish Maskew: I am currently working for Children's House International as the Family Coordinator for their Vietnam program. I am also heading up fundraising activities for a new youth center in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam for International Mission of Hope. Both of our Vietnamese sons are from Thai Nguyen and we are delighted to be working as a family to give something back to the people there!

I am also working on two more books for adoptive families that are scheduled to be released in the spring of 2001.

And, of course, I'm a full time parent as well as a homeschool mom! And there is always the desire for another child lurking in the back of my brain, so who knows what the future might bring...

Photolistings
Photolist Directory
What You Should Know

Celebrations
Adoption of Boys

Articles on Special Needs Adoptions
Attaching in Adoption
Developmental Disorders
Perfect Child - Cleft
Building Self Esteem
Behavior Therapy
Adoption Cleft Palate
Daughter's Arthrogryposis
Daughter's Heart Condition
Are Institutions Homes?
Older Child Adoption
Institutionalized Children
Lessons frm Romania

Related Sections
How to Adopt
Childrens Disabilities
Adoption Health & Medicine
Parenting

Books
Read Book Reviews
Meet the Authors