Starting an Adoptive Family:

Getting Started: The Homestudy

DISCIPLINE STATEMENT

Discipline is a necessary and important aspect of parenting and should be part of your thought process and discussion as you embark on the journey to become parents through adoption.

Discipline should be designed to help a child learn appropriate ways to interact with others in the family, with peers and in the community at large without causing physical, psychological or emotional harm to the child. Most parents are influenced in their decisions about how to discipline their child by how they were disciplined as a child or how they have observed others disciplining their children. There are a myriad of ways to provide positive and thoughtful discipline that will help your child develop appropriate behavior. Bright Futures Adoption Center believes that: (a) praise and encouragement should be given whenever possible,

(b) consequences should be appropriately related to the child’s misbehavior and the child’s age, (c) discipline should be initiated close in time to the child’s action, (d) discipline techniques need to evolve and change as the child grows and develops, and (e) special attention needs to be given to an adopted child’s need to be connected to and not separated from his or her family.

Recognizing the harm that can come from punishment that is overly harsh, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has asked all licensed child placement agencies to inform their adoptive parents that corporal punishment is prohibited.

“Corporal Punishment” means the inflicting of pain or discomfort. Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to, hitting with any part of the body or with an implement, pinching, pulling, shaking, binding a child, forcing him/her to assume an uncomfortable position, or locking him/her in a room or closet. This prohibition is in effect whether punishment is spontaneous or a deliberate technique for effecting behavioral change or part of a behavior management program.

In addition, as you think about discipline, please remember that the expectant parents with whom we work have asked Bright Futures to insure that their child is going to be safe and secure in their adoptive home and that the child will not be subject to corporal punishment.

Your signature indicates that you have been informed of this state regulation and that you will follow it.

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Adoptive Parent Date