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
“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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Teaching Kids to Say Thanks
What do you do when your three-year-old announces that he doesn't like the new socks your mother gave him as a gift? Or he's too busy devouring a cookie to show his appreciation for it?;
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School Kids
Building Your Child’s Sense of Self-Worth
Families that expand their worlds to incorporate all kinds of cultures help their children develop strong racial identities.
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Privacy, Please!
Surprised by your grade-schoolers sudden need for personal space? Don't be. It's normal.
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What’s on Their Minds?
As grade-school kids learn more about adoption, they begin to ask more questions. How do you respond?
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Teens
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.
Ask AF: New Feelings About Adoption as a Teen
“After years of seeming OK about being adopted, my teenage daughter has become sad and angry about it recently. How can I help her deal with her new emotions?”
Adoptive Families
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Adopting
“The Perfect Season of the Heart”
A father and son find that, in the face of catastrophe, despair, and death, the antidote is life.
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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.
“The Perfect Season of the Heart”
A father and son find that, in the face of catastrophe, despair, and death, the antidote is life.
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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: 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.
Ecuador Adoption Fast Facts
Wondering how to adopt from Ecuador? Find statistics, prospective parent requirements, personal stories, and more resources.
Bonding
“Should We Keep or Change Our Child’s Name?”
We carefully choose our children's names. But wait—our children will soon have their own ideas about who they are and what they should be called.
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“Should We Keep or Change Our Child’s Name?”
We carefully choose our children's names. But wait—our children will soon have their own ideas about who they are and what they should be called.
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Capturing Our Favorite Family Photographs
We asked readers about your most treasured photos from your trips to the hospital or country where your children were born. Here are some of the most meaningful scenes and stories you shared from your adoption journeys.
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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.
“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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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: 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.
News Brief: Call to Submit All Outstanding Post-Adoption Reports
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has designated May 15, 2017 “Post-Adoption Report Day” and issued a call for families that adopted internationally to submit any missing reports to their children’s countries of origin.
Talking
Getting in Shape for Your New Arrival
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.
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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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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How to Start a Parent Support Group
Start small, find like-minded members, and grow with your kids.
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8 Ways to Help Your Kids Deal with Violence
When children are exposed to violence—in their first home, at school, or in the media—it's our job as parents to help them process it. Here's how.
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Transracial
Building Your Child’s Sense of Self-Worth
Families that expand their worlds to incorporate all kinds of cultures help their children develop strong racial identities.
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Ask AF: Four-Year-Old Expressing Negativity About Her Skin Color
The mother of a preschooler shares her concern about negative comments her daughter has been making about her skin color. Parents who have been there offer advice.
How Will We Teach Our Child About Her Culture?
Even after twenty years, adoptive families are still grappling with some of the same issues and questions about raising their children in an interracial family.
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Building Your Child’s Sense of Self-Worth
Families that expand their worlds to incorporate all kinds of cultures help their children develop strong racial identities.
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Health & Development
Getting in Shape for Your New Arrival
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.
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
Is College Right for Your Teen?
Some teens are ready to go away to school and hit the books. Others may need different options.
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Peers & Friendships
A New Home, New Fears
A family move can be hard for any child.
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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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