Recently this topic has come up in my family, its something we worried about prior to bringing Livi home but we did not really know how we would handle it and kind of let it go. It has been said by some family members that they feel that Livi was being showered with attention by other family members while their children & relatives were being left out in the cold so to speak. Other family members may not be so verbal in speaking out but perhaps show this in their actions in a passive aggressive way by completely ignoring our daughter, as if they feel that she already gets so much hoopla.


How does a new adoptive family handle this? Are these concerns valid? Are they even our issues to begin with? How much ownership can we take of this? Is it an issue of jealousy? It certainly can cause tension. My husband is the first-born and Livi is his first child, this is my husbands view on why any special treatment & attention is coming Livi’s way. I do think that there is a special fascination with Russia & Adoption. My husband’s grandfather was born in Russia. I think that adopting Livi has touched many family members in various ways. Seeing the trip pictures, seeing the transformation in this little girl and people are naturally curious about how she is doing.

At family functions Livi is often the topic of conversation. She is very friendly and at a cute age where she seems to attract attention.A family member vented to me about another family member, saying that this person goes on and on bragging about Livi but never asks about her children. I’m feeling the tension and picking up on it. It wont be long before Livi does too. I’m curious if other Families have to deal with this? I would love your feedback on this topic.Is this just a case of jealousy or something more?Do your adopted children get more attention? If so how do you diffuse the situation?

Livi- doing her attention getting monkey impersonation