search for roots

Many adoptees will one day search for their biological family. This "search for roots" is an existential question in the context of their identity formation. By late kindergarten, adopted children begin to understand that adoption is not the normal case of family formation. By the second grade at the latest, questions about their origins, their biological family, and their roots become very pressing for most children, even if they are sometimes unable to put them into words. Girls, in particular, begin to search for the "common thread" in their life stories at an early age.

It is very important to cultivate an appreciative culture of conversation from the outset that includes the child's roots.

In search of the roots?

Would an adopted child like to travel to their home country and visit their former childhood home and perhaps also their former nannies? Is an adopted child interested in the background to their adoption? Would they perhaps also like to know who their biological parents are, whether they have siblings and whether contact with them is possible?

We support, advise and accompany adoptees and adoptive parents on this journey. First of all, we clarify with the home country whether, when and how a search for the roots can take place. If it is possible and desired, we establish the necessary contacts. In cooperation with the relevant authorities in the child's country of origin, we can provide professional support during the initial contact and the first meeting in order to make the process as supportive and positive as possible. It is also important to the countries of origin that the adopted child and their family are well prepared for the journey to their roots and the challenges that this often entails.

And after the root journey?

Even after the accompanied and organized root journey, it is necessary and helpful to process the experience. Networking with our adoptive parents, our supervision groups for the parents and biography work groups for the children offer the opportunity to share experiences and process what has been experienced.

We rely on donations for our intensive services, from which adoptees and adoptive parents can benefit long after the adoption. We are happy to accept these in the form of one-off donations . Alternatively, we would also be pleased to receive your sponsoring membership.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.