Preparing for Parenthood Through Adoption Training

Most adoption agencies require prospective parents to complete a certain number of training hours. This isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about equipping you to meet the unique needs of adopted children.

Common Training Topics

• Trauma and attachment – Understanding how early experiences shape a child’s sense of safety, trust, and behavior. • Transracial or transcultural adoption – Preparing to parent across racial, cultural, or ethnic differences and learning how to support a child’s identity. • Openness in adoption – Navigating healthy, child-centered relationships with birth families when appropriate. • Parenting strategies – Using connection-based tools such as gentle discipline, co-regulation, and identity-affirming practices.

Why It Matters

Training helps shift your mindset from simply wanting to adopt to truly preparing to parent. It provides practical tools for real-life situations—handling difficult behaviors, supporting identity formation, responding to trauma triggers, and building secure attachments. Many adoptive parents later say this step gave them confidence and insight they didn’t even know they needed.

Resources

Creating a Family- online training & education: https://creatingafamily.org/adoption

National Training & Development Curriculum for Foster & Adoptive Parents (NTCD)