After giving birth to a boy and a girl, I had what other people defined as a “million dollar family.” A few years later, family and friends questioned our decision to adopt two older children, out of birth order, when we had the “perfect” family.
Ask AF: Feeling Left Out of a Birth Family
Our seven-year-old biological son seems to swing between feeling left out because his siblings (both adopted) have “other families” to feeling that they can’t be part of our family because they have “other” families.
Setting Appropriate Behavioral Expectations
When younger children misbehave, they may not really know that they are misbehaving, and can be easily distracted or physically moved. But by age three to five, a child should be more aware of inappropriate behavior.
Adoption and Divorce
My husband and I are contemplating a divorce. Will our daughter’s adoption status figure into the legal proceedings?
Parent-To-Parent: Like Parent, Like Child
On our Facebook page, we asked readers: How are you and your child surprisingly alike?
Parent-To-Parent: My Child, My Role Model
On our Facebook page, we asked readers: What qualities do you most admire in your child that are most different from your own? Here’s what they had to say.
Our Family Snapshots
We asked AF readers to send in their most memorable family portraits, and the response we got was overwhelming. Each photo represented a story that was inspiring, fascinating, and unique. Here are a few of our favorites.
Sibling Snapshots
From the first meeting to a grown-up wedding, readers shared candid photos of adopted siblings. Here are some of our favorites.
Ask AF: Upset About Mom’s Pregnancy
Q: We adopted our daughter from foster care at age 11. Two months ago, I found out I was pregnant. At first she was very excited, but now she huffs or changes the subject whenever it comes up. I’m sure she’s upset that she’ll have to share her room and her parents, but how can I prove that our love for her will remain the same?
“The Baby Sister Effect”
An amazing transformation occurred in our family when we brought our newly adopted baby girl home to our two biological sons, then seven and nine. Like other boys their ages, my sons thought mostly about sports, food, Star Wars, playing with their friends, and, occasionally, about school.
“A Test of Character”
In June of 2004, while flying with my family to China, I wondered what our new family would be like. Would our two boys, our biological sons, treat their new sister differently? Our oldest, Dakota, was four at the time of our trip, and Cole was almost three.
“Taking Moms for Granted”
We try to teach our daughter Mariah gratitude. But I know we’re doing something right when she takes us for granted.
A New ‘Forever’
Adoptive children can feel familial changes, like divorce after adoption, particularly keenly. Use these tips to help kids adapt to new stepparents.
“All Together Now”
For 15 years and counting, my adoptive-moms group has provided a vital source of support for me — and my daughter.
Q&A with Maggie Jones About Adult Adoptees Who Move Back to South Korea
We spoke with Maggie Jones about her NYT article on the wave of adult adoptees who are moving back to South Korea—how she came to write this piece, and the overwhelming response she’s received.
Ask AF: When a Partner Is Against a Second Adoption
“My child wants a sibling, and I’d like to adopt again, but my partner is against it (and has not been an very involved parent). What do I do?”
Wearing the Adoption Cape
I used to be all about saving the world–and my kids–from stupid “adoption-speak.” Then I learned that being a mom isn’t about the heroics.
In Memory of Fisseha “Sol” Samuel, 1994-2014
The full text of the moving eulogies given by Melissa Fay Greene and Lee Samuel for her 20-year-old son, Fisseha “Sol” Samuel.
Winning Over the Grandparents-To-Be
Even the most eager grandparents-to-be need time to work through concerns about adoption.
“Goodbye to Grandpa”
My daughter’s struggle to make sense of this loss is shadowed by her earliest one.