How do I begin explaining adoption to my toddler?

Start simple and positive: 'We wanted you so much, and adoption is how you came to our family.' Use age-appropriate adoption books and normalize the word 'adoption' as part of your family's story from the earliest age. Don't wait for your child to ask — weave it naturally into conversations. Avoid language like 'given up' (use 'placed for adoption') or 'real parents' (use 'birth parents'). The goal is that your child never remembers a time they didn't know. Discuss adoption-sensitive developmental milestones with your pediatrician.