Babies are demanding little creatures whose needs for food and dry diapers and cuddling and comforting rarely occur only during the day. Here’s how adoptive parents can get ready.
Real Adoption Stories
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Infants
Getting in Shape for Your New Arrival
Ten Questions to Ask Pediatricians
When you're in the process of adopting an infant, there are things you should know about your potential pediatrician. Start with these top queries.
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First Aid Kit Essentials
One thing about parenthood is practically guaranteed. If your new baby gets sick, it will be in the middle of the night...in a snowstorm. Be prepared with these must-have items.
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Preschoolers
Dolls and Toys for Our Families
We asked readers, “Have you found any dolls or other toys that reflect your child’s race and/or birth culture that you would specifically recommend?” Here are the top picks.
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“Why Was I Adopted”
Your preschooler may hit you with surprising questions at the most unexpected times and places!
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Conscience Development in Preschoolers
Many children in foster care have delays in conscience development. A few have no conscience. It is important that parents understand conscience development and identify ways to facilitate growth in this area.
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School Kids
How Preteens Can Answer Prying Questions at School
How to help your middle schooler cope with curious peers.
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Dolls and Toys for Our Families
We asked readers, “Have you found any dolls or other toys that reflect your child’s race and/or birth culture that you would specifically recommend?” Here are the top picks.
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Packing a School Lunch Your Picky Eater Will Devour
Picky eating is common in children—and as a parent, it’s probably driving you crazy. Here, simple strategies (like using a cookie cutter!) help make sure your child gets enough to eat.
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Teens
“Letting the 13-Year-Old Drive”
How do you empower a child entering his teen years in a state of defeat, powerlessness, and utter self-disregard? You give him a key and tell him to take off!
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Navigating the Teen Years, Part 1: Setting “Adoption-Sensitive” Limits
As a teen, your child still needs and wants you to be a strong parent—not in a controlling fashion, but as a reliable authority in his or her life. Read on for 10 ways to establish yourself in this role.
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“Dear Other Mothers…Thank You”
My greatest joy, becoming a mother, happened because both of my children lost the one person no child should have to lose.
Adoptive Families
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Adopting
Parent-to-Parent: My Best Advice to Myself
Adoptive parents share the best adoption advice they would give themselves if they could go back five years, whether that would take them back to the adoption process or the early days of parenting.
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Wyoming Adoption Laws and Policies
Learn about Wyoming adoption laws and find adoption agencies and attorneys who work with families in your state.
News Brief: WHO Set to Broaden Definition of “Infertile” to Include Singles and Same-Sex Couples
Under the World Health Organization’s previous definition, infertility was failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Its expanded version will apply to more families.
Adoption Cost and Timing in 2015-2016
Each year, Adoptive Families polls newly formed families across the country to get actual information on the cost and length of time it took them to complete their adoptions. We are grateful to every one of you who took our most recent Adoption Cost & Timing Survey.
Parent-to-Parent: My Best Advice to Myself
Adoptive parents share the best adoption advice they would give themselves if they could go back five years, whether that would take them back to the adoption process or the early days of parenting.
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The ICPC: An Updated Overview
When you adopt a child from a different state, you’ll need approval under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children before traveling home. Here’s what you need to know about this process.
Music, Food, and Love!
One foster-turned-adoptive-mother shares how cooking brings her family together.
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News Brief: Ethiopia Adoption Suspension Still in Effect
Learn the latest on the Ethiopia suspension of intercountry adoptions.
Ecuador Adoption Fast Facts
Wondering how to adopt from Ecuador? Find statistics, prospective parent requirements, personal stories, and more resources.
Bonding
“Which Baby Gift Registry is Best?”
Readers share their registry experiences—and tell us which companies have adoption-friendly options.
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“Loving My Daughter, A Country Apart”
I didn't travel to meet my new daughter. But nothing could stop me from becoming Maura's mommy.
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“Which Baby Gift Registry is Best?”
Readers share their registry experiences—and tell us which companies have adoption-friendly options.
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“Awake at Last”
Sometimes love comes easy. Other times, it must be earned. This is the story of how I let go of my preconceived ideas about bonding and motherhood and became brave enough to trust my heart.
“Letting the 13-Year-Old Drive”
How do you empower a child entering his teen years in a state of defeat, powerlessness, and utter self-disregard? You give him a key and tell him to take off!
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Foster Adoption
Music, Food, and Love!
One foster-turned-adoptive-mother shares how cooking brings her family together.
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News Brief: Domestic Adoptions Rise Slightly, Despite Overall Decrease in Adoption
Adoption: By the Numbers, the latest report from the National Council For Adoption, shows a slight increase in U.S. infant adoptions from 2007 to 2014.
News Brief: More Children in Foster Care Than One Year Ago
A new report shows that there were more children in U.S. foster care at the end of 2015 than 2014. This is the third year this number has risen.
Domestic
The ICPC: An Updated Overview
When you adopt a child from a different state, you’ll need approval under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children before traveling home. Here’s what you need to know about this process.
Share Your Story: Domestic Adoption and Attachment
We asked our readers: Before your adoption, were you concerned about bonding with your baby? After your newborn came home, what parenting techniques did you practice that enhanced attachment?
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News Brief: Domestic Adoptions Rise Slightly, Despite Overall Decrease in Adoption
Adoption: By the Numbers, the latest report from the National Council For Adoption, shows a slight increase in U.S. infant adoptions from 2007 to 2014.
International
News Brief: Ethiopia Adoption Suspension Still in Effect
Learn the latest on the Ethiopia suspension of intercountry adoptions.
News Brief: Further Decline in International Adoption Numbers, and Ongoing Challenges
In its 2016 annual report, the U.S. Department of State released the latest international adoption statistics, which have declined for the twelfth straight year, and outlined other countries’ most widely held concerns.
News Brief: Ethiopia Suspends Adoptions
In late April 2017, Ethiopia announced an immediate suspension of international adoptions.
Talking
How Preteens Can Answer Prying Questions at School
How to help your middle schooler cope with curious peers.
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Three Stories: Unexpected Birth Family Reunions
A trio of remarkable stories from the first large group of Korean adoptees, now in their late 20's and early 30's. Thirty years ago, with international adoption information thought to be nonexistent and U.S. birth records sealed, few parents expected that their children would ever meet their birth families. Today, as more and more adoptees reach adulthood, they are finding birth relatives-or are being found by them. Whether a child is from the U.S., Guatemala, Russia, or China, she may one day be in touch with her first family. These stories, each detailing an unexpected family reunion, may well reflect the complexity of what is ahead.
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Creating a History for Your Teen During Infancy
What we record now about our child will help him or her later in the difficult teen task of forging a positive identity.
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How Preteens Can Answer Prying Questions at School
How to help your middle schooler cope with curious peers.
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“A Balanced View of Adoption”
With such a spectrum of opinions about adoption, it’s hard to know if we talk about it too much, or not enough, and in the right way. But watching my son navigate adoption comments at school reassured me of his comfort with it.
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Adoption at the Movies
Films with adoption or foster care storylines, or with themes of separation, identity, or belonging, can spark tough, must-have conversations with your children. Ready to start watching—and talking? Start with one of these recommendations.
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Transracial
Dolls and Toys for Our Families
We asked readers, “Have you found any dolls or other toys that reflect your child’s race and/or birth culture that you would specifically recommend?” Here are the top picks.
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Share Your Story: Adopting a Child of a Different Race
We asked AF readers to tell us about their experiences with transracial adoption.
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“Loving My Daughter, A Country Apart”
I didn't travel to meet my new daughter. But nothing could stop me from becoming Maura's mommy.
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Dolls and Toys for Our Families
We asked readers, “Have you found any dolls or other toys that reflect your child’s race and/or birth culture that you would specifically recommend?” Here are the top picks.
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Health & Development
How Preteens Can Answer Prying Questions at School
How to help your middle schooler cope with curious peers.
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Family Dynamics
10 Simple Ways to Have a Happier Family
Wish you could slow down and take the time to really connect with your kids? Here's how to slip small moments of love and closeness into the busiest days.
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School
Packing a School Lunch Your Picky Eater Will Devour
Picky eating is common in children—and as a parent, it’s probably driving you crazy. Here, simple strategies (like using a cookie cutter!) help make sure your child gets enough to eat.
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Peers & Friendships
“A Balanced View of Adoption”
With such a spectrum of opinions about adoption, it’s hard to know if we talk about it too much, or not enough, and in the right way. But watching my son navigate adoption comments at school reassured me of his comfort with it.
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Modern Families
“My Single Mother’s Legacy”
A cry in the night reminds one mother how much families have changed and how much love stays the same.
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Holidays & Celebrations
“Anniversary”
One year after my daughter came to live with me from foster care, the memory was still too bittersweet for her. But today, two years after becoming mother and daughter, we are ready to celebrate.
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