Saving a child’s life, creating a family and bringing happiness to others, adoption is helpfulness that gives back. In 2013, there were over one million children adopted in the United States. The adopted children ages varied, but the most significant number was that of children who had been adopted under the age of 10. “Forty five percent of children that were adopted in the past year were under ten years old” (Abuse Stats). It is an amazing number of individuals that have been adopted by nurturing and loving families, but the early years of one’s life are the most important or formative when it comes to developing into who they will eventually become. The forty five percent of children were left without parents, without an older brother to protect them at school, and without a sister to paint their nails when she gets bored or wants to try out her beauty styling. Family is everything and adoption is an alternative that isn’t outdone by any other option. However, adoption may not be all happiness and joy for everyone in the family. Bringing in a new family member means a tremendous amount of preparation, along with the biological children’s bonding time with their mom and dad being divided amongst another person. At young ages, children are selfish and want undivided attention from their parents, they don’t want to share what is theirs with a random stranger. It is essential for parents to not only care for every child equally, but also include the biological children in as many steps of the process as possible. Biological children often benefit from gaining a new family member. Adoption can be a time where unbreakable friendships are formed, and can be the driving force that brings family members closer together. With so many different factors and possibilities that are associated with adoption, the question is raised: What impact does adoption have on the biological children within a family? Adoptions bring forth strange and confusing times in the lives of children, it is the duty of the parents to ensure that the children play a part in the adoption and are well prepared for the changes that follow. This is the most essential part of a successful adoption. In families with young aged biological children, the parents need to step up and fully take control of the situation, as kids cannot easily adjust to such a monumental change. The first step of the process is including the children in the pre adoption situation and discussing feelings about everything to come. According to the award winning adoption magazine, Adoptive Families, “ Being honest, including your child, reassuring them, encouraging discussion, preparing for questions, and having empathy are absolutely key in a successful adoption.”(Kruger, Pamela) Children are selfish and immature due to an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, as a result, they want to be the center of attention and become easily frustrated when this is not the case. Parents need to approach the situation in a way where it least concerning and overwhelming for the children. They should start by introducing the idea of including another family member as a possibility, not a definite addition. Once the idea is introduced, parents must constantly reassure the child that their place in the family is permanent and that nothing can change that. In the case of an adoption in a family with young biological children rather than older ones, irrational fears are a very real issue for children. Discussion amongst parents and children is vital. In the case of Jane Dalton, the mother of an adopted child and writer in the Adoptive Families magazine, her daughter was worried that she would be put up for adoption if her mommy were to ever fall ill. She followed the guidelines and dealt with her child in a way where there were no other issues. It is very common for children to have these fears. Encouraging questions helps alleviate some unnecessary concerns for young children and the whole family. The young ones will be confused and want to be comforted. Understanding children’s concerns is also necessary in relieving tension in preparing him or her for the actual arrival of the new child. They may behave negatively while trying to adjust to the new situation and new brother or sister. “Excessive clinging, needing a great deal of attention, regression to an earlier stage of development, misbehaving in unusual ways, or even trying to harm the newcomer.” (Adoptive Families) Parents must understand that these are all very natural responses to the new environment and there is no need to worry about the relationships. They will eventually be formed between the children, especially if the pre-adoption guidelines are followed. When bringing a new member into a family, parents must figure out a strategy to include each child in a way where the adopted child’s issues and needs do not overshadow those of the biological children, which slightly differs depending on the age o