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
When Classmates Ask
How can you help your child answer adoption questions with confidence—and handle any queries that come your way?
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Stepping Back at School
As your child progresses through elementary school, she should take more responsibility for handling tricky assignments. Here's how to hand off the reins.
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Exploring Family Roots at School
The family tree assignment is a perfect opportunity to answer your child's questions about adoption.
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Teens
Strengthening Your Family Around the Dinner Table
Want to strengthen your teen's sense of belonging? Make family meals mandatory.
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Defusing Your Teen’s Explosive Moods
It can be easier for adopted teens to express anger than the emotions that are often behind it: vulnerability, weakness, or uncertainty. Help your adolescent deal with these complex feelings in more effective ways.
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Searching for Answers…with Google?
The Internet requires a cautious approach when teens are looking for answers about adoption.
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Adopting
News Brief: China Announces Changes to Its International Adoption Requirements
In July 2017, China announced updated requirements regarding the composition of the prospective adoptive family and the timing of applications.
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 Report
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.
“I’m an Adoptee and Adoptive Parent”
My daughters and I have something important in common. We share the experience of joining a family through adoption.
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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: China Announces Changes to Its International Adoption Requirements
In July 2017, China announced updated requirements regarding the composition of the prospective adoptive family and the timing of applications.
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: China Announces Changes to Its International Adoption Requirements
In July 2017, China announced updated requirements regarding the composition of the prospective adoptive family and the timing of applications.
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.
Talking
Searching for Answers…with Google?
The Internet requires a cautious approach when teens are looking for answers about adoption.
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“I’m an Adoptee and Adoptive Parent”
My daughters and I have something important in common. We share the experience of joining a family through adoption.
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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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Searching for Answers…with Google?
The Internet requires a cautious approach when teens are looking for answers about adoption.
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Parent-to-Parent: Explaining Attention and Questions from Strangers
When you and your child don't look alike, the world wants to know why. Parents who adopted transracially share how they explain strangers' questions and comments to their children.
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Ask AF: Sharing Painful Birth Parent News with My Child
“I just discovered that my daughter’s birth mother died. My daughter is a preteen and rarely asks about her birth parents. Should I tell her this now, or wait? And, if so, how do I bring it up?”
Transracial
Parent-to-Parent: Explaining Attention and Questions from Strangers
When you and your child don't look alike, the world wants to know why. Parents who adopted transracially share how they explain strangers' questions and comments to their children.
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Parent-to-Parent: Explaining Attention and Questions from Strangers
When you and your child don't look alike, the world wants to know why. Parents who adopted transracially share how they explain strangers' questions and comments to their children.
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Summer Heritage Guide: If You Have a Weekend or Less
Great heritage ideas that dont require plane ticketsor even a full tank of gas.
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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
Defusing Your Teen’s Explosive Moods
It can be easier for adopted teens to express anger than the emotions that are often behind it: vulnerability, weakness, or uncertainty. Help your adolescent deal with these complex feelings in more effective ways.
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Family Dynamics
Strengthening Your Family Around the Dinner Table
Want to strengthen your teen's sense of belonging? Make family meals mandatory.
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School
When Classmates Ask
How can you help your child answer adoption questions with confidence—and handle any queries that come your way?
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Peers & Friendships
When Boys are Bullies and Girls Are Mean
If your child is the giver or receiver of unkind behavior, read on.
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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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