Let’s Play Court

Nothing helps ease nervous jitters like role playing. During a home visit “play court.” As the social worker, take the lead by playing the Judge and have c

Devote at least one home visit to meet with the entire family and explain what will actually happen in court. If the children are old enough, I ask. “Have you seen Judge Judy on TV?” They usually laugh and say “Yes”. Typically they relate a Judge to some sort of punishment. Perhaps they imagine a Judge harshly saying, “Go to jail” while banging down a gavel.

Kids often think sending people to jail are the only thing Judges do. I say, “A Judge is a wise person who gives answers when people can’t agree on something.” Sometimes the disagreement involves money, land or a family situation such as a divorce. In a child’s case, decisions center around who will parent them.

Remind children that Judges can be young, old, man, woman, tall, short and any race. They all wear long black robes. If you know which Judge will hear the finalization it helps to have their name to personalize the process.

How Do Kids Get Adopted?

Rosemary Broadbent, adoptive mom and adoption social worker for 26 years, tells all families, “Adoption is a process not just an event.” She explains that all of the time they have spent getting to know, love and trust each other, they have actually been in the process of ”adopting each other.”

In this way, she honors the entire time a family has spent together and acknowledges the adoption legalization as a milestone in a usually lengthy process. This concept is especially effective for older children who want to feel that their adoption is something they are involved in and not something being “done” to them.

Let’s Play Court

Nothing helps ease nervous jitters like role playing. During a home visit “play court.” As the social worker, take the lead by playing the Judge and have ch

Kids often think sending people to jail are the only thing Judges do. I say, “A Judge is a wise person who gives answers when people can’t agree on something.” Sometimes the disagreement involves money, land or a family situation such as a divorce. In a child’s case, decisions center around who will parent them.

Remind children that Judges can be young, old, man, woman, tall, short and any race. They all wear long black robes. If you know which Judge will hear the finalization it helps to have their name to personalize the process.

How Do Kids Get Adopted?

Rosemary Broadbent, adoptive mom and adoption social worker for 26 years, tells all families, “Adoption is a process not just an event.” She explains that all of the time they have spent getting to know, love and trust each other, they have actually been in the process of ”adopting each other.”

In this way, she honors the entire time a family has spent together and acknowledges the adoption legalization as a milestone in a usually lengthy process. This concept is especially effective for older children who want to feel that their adoption is something they are involved in and not something being “done” to them.

Let’s Play Court

Nothing helps ease nervous jitters like role playing. During a home visit “play court.” As the social worker, take the lead by playing the Judge and have c

Remind children that Judges can be young, old, man, woman, tall, short and any race. They all wear long black robes. If you know which Judge will hear the finalization it helps to have their name to personalize the process.

How Do Kids Get Adopted?

Rosemary Broadbent, adoptive mom and adoption social worker for 26 years, tells all families, “Adoption is a process not just an event.” She explains that all of the time they have spent getting to know, love and trust each other, they have actually been in the process of ”adopting each other.”

In this way, she honors the entire time a family has spent together and acknowledges the adoption legalization as a milestone in a usually lengthy process. This concept is especially effective for older children who want to feel that their adoption is something they are involved in and not something being “done” to them.

Let’s Play Court

Nothing helps ease nervous jitters like role playing. During a home visit “play court.” As the social worker, take the lead by playing the Judge and have c

In this way, she honors the entire time a family has spent together and acknowledges the adoption legalization as a milestone in a usually lengthy process. This concept is especially effective for older children who want to feel that their adoption is something they are involved in and not something being “done” to them.

Let’s Play Court

Nothing helps ease nervous jitters like role playing. During a home visit “play court.” As the social worker, take the lead by playing the Judge and have c

Let’s Play Court

Nothing helps ease nervous jitters like role playing. During a home visit “play court.” As the social worker, take the lead by playing the Judge and have child (and other siblings and/or parent(s)) play themselves. Have them sit and waiting for the Judge to enter. Instruct them about basic courtroom etiquette which dictates that they are supposed to stand when the Judge enters, that all cell phones, beepers and toys be shut off and that proper dress be worn.

Tell the family, “You may be seated,” and ask siblings a few simple questions, such as “How old are you? What grade are you in? What sorts of things do you like to do?” and wait for them to answer. Role play the actual ‘adoption part’ as well. I’ll tell families that once the Judge signs the adoption papers – the child is officially adopted.

I’ll say, “Well I’ve read the reports and I think this adoption is really wonderful. You are all very lucky.” The family should then practice clapping and yelling, “Hurray! If they are shy, cue them by saying,”1, 2, 3.” Be sure to complain that they weren’t loud enough when they celebrated. Do this part repeatedly when each family member takes a turn being the Judge. Don’t be surprised at how much they love bossing each other around.

How Long Does it Take?

This is the loaded question you should expect. After many rollercoaster years and sleepless nights, the actual adoption takes all of 10 minutes (OK, sometimes 5). It helps families to know a head of time how quickly it goes.

Some Judges have their own rituals, which makes it a longer as wel