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, Talking About Race 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 and family camps
Camp to Belong - national sibling camp program
Foster Club: Sibling Separation – youth perspectives and more
National Siblings Day
PACT – many articles
Project 1025 – many downloads for prepping children for new foster & adoptive siblings
Sibling Support by Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Siblings Australia - for siblings of those with disability
Stand Up for Siblings

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 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

Regarding Biological & Adoptive/Foster Sibling Relationships

Adopting Out of Birth Order by Creating a Family - multiple articles!
Adoption & Birth Siblings Relationships: Advice for Parents by Joan Jaeger, The Cradle Blog
Adoption and Siblings Relationships (adopted vs not adopted) by NACAC
Adoptive Siblings: The Invisible Family Members by Dr. Jana Hunsley, Adoption Advocate
Ambiguous Loss & Grief for Siblings and What About My Other Children by Project 1025
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
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
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

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
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
Peace4Kids Honors Chosen Family with Zaid Gayle & Angelia Nwandu
The Psychological Consequences of Separating Siblings in Foster Care by Waln Brown for The Imprint
The Search for Siblings by April Guffey
The Sibling Bond: Its Importance in Foster Care & Adoptive Placement by Kay Donley Zeigler
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
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
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 Race - an ORPARC Resource page
Transracial Parenting & Cultural Diversity - an ORPARC Resource page

Videos & Podcasts

The Honestly Adoption Company Podcast
- Foster Care and What I Feared Most for My Own Kids
- How Do I Stop My Child From Causing Dysregulation Among Siblings
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)
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)
Raising a Blended Family by Creating a Family (podcast)
Should I Adopt Siblings? An Honest Look at Adopting Siblings from Foster Care by La Casa de Katie, foster adopt parent (video)
Siblings in Adoption- Support Group with foster adoptee & sibling April Guffey by PairTree (video)
Why My Kids Can't Get Along by Hand in Hand (podcast)

Supportive books for siblings

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