Sometimes school brings tough situations, like teasing, tricky assignments, and nosy questions. When should kids handle things on their own, and when should a parent step in?
“Which Baby Gift Registry is Best?”
Readers share their registry experiences—and tell us which companies have adoption-friendly options.
Make Believe or Lies?
When to encourage your child's flights of fancy, and when to insist on truth-telling.
Questions About Being “Given Up”
Our seven-year-old daughter knows her adoption story, but, lately, she's been asking a lot of questions about why she was 'given up.'
Ask AF: An Unknown Birth Father
Our daughter's birth mother says she has no idea who the birth father is. We don't know his first name or even the color of his hair.
Ask AF: Explaining Kinship Adoption
My younger daughter adopted her sister's child. My granddaughter's now eight, and knows that she was adopted, but she doesn't know that her "Auntie" is her birth mother.
Ask AF: “Was I Bad?”
Our eight-year-old has been telling his classmates that his birth mother "gave him up" because he was "bad."
A Tale to Treasure
Follow these pointers to capture your child's adoption story in a personalized picture book.
“Negotiating a Workable Schedule After Adoption”
I assumed I'd be offered the same leave and benefits as moms who give birth. When I wasn't, here's how I negotiated with my employer.
“Guarding My Heart During the Wait”
After years of grappling with infertility, I could only focus on what might go wrong during our (in hindsight) perfect match and my daughter's birth.
“Martin Luther King’s Dream Come True?”
When my son was harassed by a classmate for his race, I knew I only had a second to act.
Helping Your Child with Peer Exclusion
Parents cannot prevent their child from experiencing exclusion or feeling "different" from time to time. You can, however, lessen the negative effects of this common occurrence during the preteen years.
Ask AF: Explaining that We’re the Lucky Ones!
Answers to your parenting questions.
Talking with Teens About Sex and Dating
Having "the talk" with your teen is necessary — and it can turn into an emotional conversation about birth parents.
[Book Review] Brothers and Sisters in Adoption
Sibling issues are the focus of this rich resource for parents or adoption professionals, written by Arleta James. Read the full review, here.
Age-by-Age Ways to Celebrate Birth Culture
An age-by-age guide to cultural activities that help our children take pride in their identity.
“My Son Who Refused to Give Up”
A doctor predicted our son, who has spina bifida, would never walk. But Mark has shown us what perseverance — and a keen passion — can do.
Discussing a Difficult Past After Foster Adoption
My child's background was tough. Now that he's with our family, do we really need to discuss the past?