A reader asks how to write a great adoption reference letter that her friend will show to prospective birth mothers.
Ask AF: Encouraging a Reluctant Spouse
Answers to your parenting questions.
“In the Beginning” — Part 1 of Foster Adoption Series
In part one of our family’s adoption odyssey, we make our way through our state’s Fost/Adopt program and find that things don’t always go according to plan. But sometimes, that’s for the best.
“Would I Be Allowed to Adopt After the Diagnosis?”
I was terrified that telling our social worker I’d been diagnosed with bipolar disorder would end our dream of having a child.
Ask AF: Filing Taxes Without an SSN
Answers to your parenting questions.
“What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting”
Without sonograms, morning sickness, and kicking, you have to find the joy in your own “moments” as you wait to adopt.
“My Hands-On Wait”
I wasn’t going to just wait around during the wait. Instead, I filled the time with networking, decorating the baby’s nursery, and more.
The Top 10 Secrets of Successful Adoption Travel
The adoption trip is a defining moment in a family’s life, the event that brings parent and child together at last.
Sample Insurance Letter for International Adoptees
Adapt this letter to your child’s situation.
Getting the Adoption Call
We asked our readers to share their stories about getting the adoption call. Where were you? How did you react? Read how they received the joyful news!
Coping with a Failed Match with an Expectant Mother
A father-to-be offers tips for keeping the dream of a child alive after the crushing disappointment of a failed match with an expectant mother.
“First Paperwork, Then Spring Rolls”
Food has always drawn my family together. While I wait for my daughter, I’ll begin reaching out to her in the best way I know — through cooking.
Is There a Test to Determine a Child’s Age?
We were told that our daughter was six when she was adopted, but she seems much younger. Is there a medical test to determine her age accurately?
“Ready-to-Parent”
The “Daddy Moment” hits in the middle of the baby emporium.
“Writing Through the Wait”
On the long journey to adoption, a journal can record the milestones and detours, as well as your first rush of love for your child.
Medical Preparations for Adoption Travel
My family and I are traveling to meet our new baby. What medical preparations should I make?
Making the Decision to Adopt a Special Needs Child
One Family’s Story
Smart Ways to Save on Adoption Travel Expenses
Adoption travel is often one of the biggest categories of the total cost of adoption, thanks to multiple or extended trips to an international destination, or the wait for termination of birth parent rights in a domestic adoption. But families can save hundreds of dollars on travel costs.
“In My Daughter’s Room”
The wait seemed endless. To fill the days — and focus my hopes — I painted, sanded, stenciled, and gradually gave shape to our baby’s place in our home.
Celebrating the Holidays While You Wait
It’s tough to wait another year, especially during the holiday season. Here are some strategies that will help you until your child arrives.