Preparing to Parent the Internationally Adopted Child

Pre-adoptive need to prepare as much as they can before adopting anywhere, whether within the United States or internationally. Nothing beats experience and no class can prepare one for everything, but there are things that can be done that will help clue an adoptive parent into what the child is experiencing and why. After reading several articles and interviewing other adoptive parents I have put together 12 ideas that can help an adoptive parent parent the internationally adopted child.
What helped you when you were getting ready to add to your family?
Email me at adoption@about.com or come to our forum and post your ideas.