How long does a adoption transition normally take?

Normally, under a good situation a transition will last two - four weeks. A transition can take anywhere from, “here’s Johnny”, to a month depending on when everyone is ready to make the final move. If you feel you need more time in a transition don’t be afraid to say so. Take your signals from the child, they will let you know when they are ready for the move. Transitions that last more than a month can be harmful to the child in some cases. It is important to remember that transitions for all of us can be hard, for these kids sitting in limbo between families can be traumatic if not done correctly.

Note that a foster transition can be as quick as the knock on the front door. With international and birth-parent adoptions transitions can be less than a week. You should be working closely with your placement worker to outline an effective transitional plan that fit’s the need of the child(ren) and your family. Remember, transitions are NOT about what is convenient or comfortable for the professionals involved but what is best for the child(ren) and family.