Answers to your parenting questions.
“The Birthday Package for Our Son’s Birth Parents”
Photos and letters are the only things my son’s birth mother asked for. I hope that what we send expresses our gratitude.
“Coming Clean About My Troubled Past with an Expectant Mother”
Coming clean to our birth mother about my unstable past helped us build a solid foundation for our future.
“Unexpectedly in Sync”
My daughter formed a swift, intense bond with her four birth sisters. The surprising love I felt for them blindsided me, but now it makes perfect sense.
Gifts for Birth Parents
Our readers share their recommendations for gifts for birth parents at the time of placement. Their advice? Keep it small and personal!
“Maternal Instincts”
My daughter’s birth mother helped me trust my own maternal instinct.
“Letters to Noelle”
As my letter-writing to my son’s birth mother has evolved, so has our relationship grown.
Are Adoptees Selfish For Wanting To Search?
Finding my birth family has never been an attempt to replace anyone else, but simply an effort to find myself, a desire my adoptive family understands.
“Unexpected Contact with Our Child’s Birth Mother”
We hadn’t planned on an open adoption. But when my daughter’s birth mother requested a letter, how could I say no?
It Takes Two — Lily & Gillian
Identical twins, separated at birth — but raised as sisters since the day they were born — are giving new meaning to the phrase “blended family.”
Double The Love — Anaïs & Sam
A set of identical twins who were separated at birth and adopted by different families — not to be reunited until age 27.
Book Excerpt: The Mercy Rule
Read an excerpt from Perri Klass’ new novel about a pediatrician who grew up in foster care — and now works with similar at-risk patients.
“An Evolving Relationship”
After a difficult visit with my birth son, I realized the commitment to him was strong enough to weather life’s ups and downs.
Should We Contact our Son’s Birth Parents?
Adoptive Families asks advice on a reader’s behalf. Should we contact our son’s birth parents?
Searching for Birth Families
Parents who look for their child’s birth family abroad are ushering in a new openness in international adoption. Many say the decision to search requires careful thought.
Ask AF: Reaching Out to the Birth Father
How can we increase the openness of our relationship with our son’s birth father?
“Our Canadian-Colombian Family Reunion”
After returning from a trip to my son’s birth country, my heart — and journal — was overflowing.
“From Adoptive Mother to Birth Grandmother”
An adoptive mother prepares to become a birth grandmother.
Contact with Biological Grandparents
Should we create a contact agreement with our children’s biological grandparents? What are our legal rights?
“Getting to Meet Her Birth Mother”
A daughter — and her mother — look forward to a very special family reunion.