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.
Mother Knows Best?
Even though my husband couldn’t stay with me to foster our daughter in Guatemala, I was never short on parenting help.
“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.
“The Perfect Season of the Heart”
A father and son find that, in the face of catastrophe, despair, and death, the antidote is life.
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.
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.
“How I Met My Daughters”
I may not remember when I first knew I wanted to be a mother, but the moments leading up to and the first time I saw my daughters are indelibly etched in my memory.
“Letting Go After Months of Struggling to Parent”
After struggling to parent my twin daughters for ten months, I sadly realized I couldn’t provide them with the stable life I’d envisioned.
Share Your Story: Who Helped With Your Adoption?
We asked AF readers: Did anyone help you with your adoption? Whether it was an adoption agency or attorney or other adoption professional, we want to know how you chose the people who helped you adopt.
Share Your Story: Was It Fate?
We asked our readers: Do you believe your child was destined for your family? Or does fate have nothing to do with it? Here are your stories.
Keeping Your Spirits Up During the Wait
From doing “lasts” as a couple to cleaning out closets and drawers to writing in a journal to their child-to-be, parents share how they remained positive during a long or uncertain wait to adopt.
News Brief: Documenting Citizenship for Adopted Children
In response to an increase in inquiries about the citizenship status for international adoptees, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released an adoption notice about obtaining or documenting citizenship.
One Partner Wants to Nest, the Other Wants to Wait
A hopeful adoptive mother who’s just started the adoption wait is ready to nest and get the baby’s room ready—but her husband wants to wait. Parents who have been there offer advice.
“Another Generation”
The author of this story anticipates sharing his life with a child after a long wait.
“A Sense of Belonging”
As I wait to adopt, having friends I identify with has made all the difference.
Adopt Again?
Adopting a second child is a big step. Here’s some been-there, done-that wisdom from parents to help you decide.
Ask AF: Readjusting to Younger Kids as an Older Mom
An older mom who’s enjoyed the relative freedom of parenting teens is nervous about readjusting to more hands-on parenting when she adopts a young child. Parents who have been there offer advice.
Share Your Story: Favorite Pre-adoption Books
We asked our reader panel to describe the books they find most helpful to prospective adoptive parents. Here are some of their favorites.
10 Ways to Build Trust with Prospective Birth Parents
10 ways to show respect and build trust.
“The Red Thread of Fate”
More than a decade ago, I was hopefully working my way toward an adoption from China. After a tragedy derailed my plans, I wound my way to family in an entirely different way.