Siblings

Sibling relationships are far more impactful than we ever knew. Sibling relationships typically last longer—even if symbolic or in memory—and hold considerable influence. Youth in foster care or adoption can experience many varying emotions about their siblings, depending on circumstances. Being separated, newly discovered, or reunited gets complicated. It is our job to support them in understanding and healing these relationships best we can. Please reference our Adoptee & Foster Voices, Grandparents & Relative Caregivers, Navigating Birth Family Relationships, Talking About Adoption, Foster Care & Other Hard Things, and Transracial Parenting/Cultural Diversity pages for more resources.

"...the relationship with a sibling is usually the longest relationship that an individual will experience in the total lifetime." ~V. G. Cicirelli, siblings researcher

Websites

Kindred Matters in Oregon - Oregon specific sibling camp, sibling visits & events, and family camps
Camp to Belong - national sibling camp program
Foster Club: Sibling Separation – youth perspectives and more
National Siblings Day - April 10
PACT – many articles
Project 1025- Dr. Jana Hunsley Lebiedzinski, LCSW – many downloads for prepping children for new foster & adoptive siblings, including recordings and articles
Sibling Support by Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Siblings Australia - for siblings of those with disability
Sibling Sexual Trauma
Stand Up for Siblings
Suddenly Siblings - supporting biological, foster & adoptive

Recommended Books & Articles

Sibling-related Materials in ORPARC's library

Oregon Foster Children’s Sibling Bill of Rights and en español

Regarding All Sibling Relationships

11 Incredible Strategies to Improve Siblings Relationships by The Centered Parent
12 Tips to Build A Stronger Sibling Bond by Aha Parenting
How to Reduce Competition Between Siblings by Imperfect Parenting - many more articles here too!
Managing Anxiety With Siblings by Worry Wise Kids
Overcoming Unhealthy Dynamics Between Siblings by Creating a Family
Sibling Death & Childhood Traumatic Grief by NCTSN
Sibling Perspectives on Autism by The Art of Autism
Siblings of Children With Disability by Raising Children, AU
Supporting Siblings in a Chaotic Space by Eileen Devine, adoptive parent

Regarding Biological & Adoptive/Foster Sibling Relationships

5 Things Resident Kids Should Know About Their Foster or Adopted Sibling’s Early Life by Suddenly Siblings
Adopting Out of Birth Order by Creating a Family - multiple articles!
Adoption & Birth Siblings Relationships: Advice for Parents by The Cradle Blog
Adoption and Siblings Relationships (adopted vs not adopted) by Families Rising
Adoptive Siblings: The Invisible Family Members by Dr. Jana Hunsley, Adoption Advocate
Ambiguous Loss & Grief for Siblings and What About My Other Children by Dr. Jana Hunsley Lebiedzinski, LCSW
The Effects of Adoption on Biological Siblings by Jana Hunsley for Hope's Promise
FASD
- Helping Your Kids Understand Their Sibling's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder by SAMHSA
- Helping Your Kids Understand Their Sibling's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder by NOFAS
How to Support Bio Kids in an Adopted Family by The Honestly Adoption Company, foster adoptive parents - authors in ORPARC's library
The Impact of Fostering & Adoption on Kids Already in the Family - free course courtsey of Jockey
Jana Hunsley for TCU
- Lessons from Adoptive Siblings
- On Being an Adoptive Sibling
Managing Relationship Expectations Between Siblings by Suddenly Siblings
Supporting Siblings in a Chaotic Space by Eileen Devine
Supporting Your Biological Children While Fostering (w/ Daniela Coats) by The Forgotten Initiative Podcast
Talking with Your Resident Kids About Foster Or Kinship Care by Creating a Family
Tips to Prepare Children for the Adoption of a Sibling by Creating a Family
What Can You Do to Help Siblings of Children With Disabilities? by Complete Children's Health

Regarding Adoptive & Foster Sibling Relationships

Ambiguous Loss Haunts Foster & Adoptive Children by Jae Ran Kim, adoptee
Deciding to Allow Contact by Adoption & Foster Family Coalition
Honoring and Maintaining Sibling Connections by Fostering Perspectives - many articles
How to Help Your Siblings Connect by Sierra Koester
I know first-hand the importance of sibling relationships in foster care by Phoenix Santiago, fosteree
Keeping Siblings Together by AdoptUSKids
Keeping Siblings Together: Past, Present & Future by Emily Kernan, National Center for Youth Law
Maintaining Sibling Relationships by Considering Adoption
My North Star: Trauma Bonding Among Siblings by Colice Sanders, foster adoptee
Peace4Kids Honors Chosen Family with Zaid Gayle & Angelia Nwandu
The Psychological Consequences of Separating Siblings in Foster Care by Waln Brown, fosteree for The Imprint
The Search for Siblings by April Guffey, foster adoptee
The Sibling Bond: Its Importance in Foster Care & Adoptive Placement by NAIC
Sibling Relationships are Sacred: Benefits of Sibling Placement & Contact by American Bar Association
Siblings in Foster Care & Adoption by NACAC
Sibling Issues in Foster Care & Adoption by Child Welfare Information Gateway
Siblings Separated Through Adoption by Stand Up for Siblings
Strategies for Maintaining Sibling Connections by Creating a Family
Sustaining Connections When Siblings Are Separated by Fostering Perspectives

Culturally specific

Adoptee & Foster Voices - an ORPARC Resource page
I Am My Sister’s Keeper: Multiracial Sibling Relationships by Dr. Kripe Cooper-Lewter, adoptee
Invisible Kids in Families Blended by Birth & Transracial Adoption by Creating a Family
“People ask me: What it was like growing up with African-American brothers?” by Elena Kennedy
Talking About Culture - an ORPARC Resource page
Transracial Parenting & Cultural Diversity - an ORPARC Resource page

Videos & Podcasts

Crazy Pieces - Foster Care Adoption & Siblings (videos)
- Bio Siblings Reunited after 6 Years
- Bio Siblings Reunited after 15 Years! Foster Care Story
- Biological Brothers Reunited
- Reunited with Big Brother
- Lost Sisters Reunited
Does Birth Order Matter in Adoption & Fostering? by Suddenly Siblings (podcast)
The Fake Siblings Podcast by Hannah Jackson Matthews, adoptee & brother Greg Jackson Stumbras, adoptee
The Honestly Adoption Company Podcast, foster adoptive parents - authors in ORPARC's library
- Foster Care and What I Feared Most for My Own Kids
- How Do I Stop My Child From Causing Dysregulation Among Siblings
How Do I Handle Sibling Conflict in My Home? by Empowered to Connect Podcast
How Does Adoption Affect the Siblings Already in a Family by C.A.S.E. (video)
The Impact of Fostering and Adoption on Kids Already in the Family by Creating a Family (podcast)
Importance of Sibling Relationships by Tiegan Boyens, adoptee (video)
Meeting the Needs of Adoptive Siblings with Dr. Jana Hunsley by the TBRI Podcast
Positive Youth Development for Siblings in Foster Care by Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (video)
Preparing Children Already in the Home for an Adoption by Suddenly Siblings (podcast)
Raising a Blended Family by Creating a Family (podcast)
Robyn Gobbel Podcast - author in ORPARC's library
- Teach Siblings about Owls, Watchdogs & Possums...without Excusing
- When Two (or More) Kids are Dysregulated at Once
Should I Adopt Siblings? An Honest Look at Adopting Siblings from Foster Care by La Casa de Katie, foster adoptive parent (video)
Sibling Identity: Quest to find my brother by Marie Marre, adoptee (video)
Siblings in Adoption- Support Group with foster adoptee & sibling April Guffey by PairTree (video)
What To Do If Your Resident Child Isn't On Board With Fostering Or Adopting? by Suddenly Siblings (audio)
Why My Kids Can't Get Along by Hand in Hand (podcast)

Featured Favorites

Jazzy's Quest & Volume 2 by Carrie Goldman

Say Yes Again by Rhonda Wagner

Gus Becomes a Big Brother by Heather Lonczak

Adopting A Little Brother or Sister and So You've Adopted a Sibling by Holly Marlow

Brothers and Sisters in Adoption by Arleta M. James

Welcoming a New Brother or Sister Through Adoption by Arleta James

Don't Call Me Marda by Sheila Kelly Welch

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

Oh Brother!: Growing Up With a Special Needs Sibling by Natalie Hale

The Confusing World of Brothers, Sisters, & Adoption by Regina Kupecky