Know The Spirit Of Sibling Love

You’re excited and nervous about adopting a child, but have you checked in with the one who already lives in your house? Hemchhaya De tells you how to lay the foundation right for a lifetime of sibling bonding

- Hemchhaya De

Deepika Murthy’s son, Aarav, was three-and-a-half years old, when she and her husband brought home Ashavari. When asked how she prepared Aarav for this, Deepika says, “A child won’t understand the word ‘adoption’ easily. We just asked our son, ‘Do you want a sister?’ He said yes. Since our son was only three, he didn't have too many questions.” She reveals that for her son, the very prospect of getting a sister was exciting enough. “Since we involved him in the entire process from the beginning, he was well prepared for his new role as a brother. In fact, when he held Ashavari in his arms for the first time, Aarav instantly felt like a big brother, ready for all responsibilities,” she says.

Not all adoption journeys, however, are as smooth-sailing. Take 37-year-old Radhika Sharma*. “After going through a cumbersome legal process, we adopted a girl child, who is older than my biological daughter,” says Radhika. “She came from a different cultural background and had tremendous difficulties adjusting to her new home. There was much hostility between the children initially.”