Birth parents that have stayed in contact with their child's adoptive parents face struggles that are unique to their situation. Even something as simple as buying a gift can be wrought with anxiety. Jenna Hatfield, in a post on AdoptionBlogs, offers some suggestions for reducing the stress, and increasing the joy of buying gifts for a child who's been adopted.

"If you know that the holidays or a birthday are right around the corner, call and ask [the adoptive parents] some key questions like current size, any big gifts they're planning on buying and what is a current no-no in terms of what he/she is allowed to play with or use. Remember to respect any boundaries they set on gifts as it is part of their right as a parent."

Other suggestions include asking the child what he or she is currently in to, getting age-appropriate recommendations from a parenting forum, and window shopping. Adoptive parents should expect these kinds of questions if they've maintained contact with the birth parent(s). Read more at BirthParents.AdoptionBlogs.com.

Looking for a gift for a child with non verbal learning disorder or Asperger's? Find suggestions at YourLittleProfessor.com.

Labels: gifts, relationships, stress