What age is a good age to tell a child they were adopted?

I believe this should be a gradual process over years, but starting from the beginning of the adoption. You can always refer to a child as "my chosen son/daughter". Being chosen would have a special significance for a young child, and would be enough information for some time. Throughout life, as the mental process develops, more questions will be asked, until he/she is able to comprehend the whole thing. As a child, my one desperate wish was to find out I had been adopted. No one ever loved me and my thought pattern was such that if I found out I was adopted, it would have meant that at ONE stage of my life, someone HAD wanted me. For a child to know they were WANTED and CHOSEN would be a guarantee of security. I do not think an adopted child would be teased by children these days. There are so many one parent children and so many mixed families, that no notice would be taken.

Oh, what a hard to choice to make. I would suggest playing it by ear with each child. The adopting parent should know if they think the child is ready to be told and can handle the truth about the adoption. I have a friend who was told from day one. And she turned out well. I have another friend who was told when she was a teen. She took it pretty hard. She felt she was lied to her whole life and wondered what else she wasn't being told. I think it is really a guessing game. I pray the parents choice the right time.

there is no appropriate age...it should remain or kept secret till the day concerned people die...if you took in somebody to be your baby it has to be for life.... i, for one, grew up with a mother i've known but not knowingly that she was my lola. there was pain that pinched my heart because i do not know who among them i considered as brothers and sister was my rightful parent. i said to myself that this mother i've known for many years will remain to be my mother for life no matter what revelation i may later know.

I feel whenever you feel a child is ready to be told is when you should let the child know. Personally I would let this child know as they are growingup in the fmaily from day one. I wouldnt make it apoint to throw itinthere face everyday but I would let them know as soonas they seem to be old enough so they are not resentfull and have a contious that you are hiding things from them. Think of your self as if you we're that child you would want to know who and why make sure you are ready for a slue of question they may have to ask!! Good Luck!