We asked our reader panel: Did you adapt your family's existing holiday traditions after adopting your child? If so, tell us how.
Rethinking Priorities During the Holiday Season
Your newly adopted baby needs a safe, stable environment in order to develop trust and bond. Here are ways to keep the chaos of the holidays at bay.
Ask AF: Erratic Eating Habits
Diana Schwab, M.Ed., LSW, answers a question about inconsistent eating habits, which are fairly common in adopted children who have spent time in institutional care.
Dear Birth Mother
You've agreed to provide updates to your baby's birth mother. But now that your baby is home, what information do you share?
Ask AF: Keeping Attachment Strong After Returning to Work
When returning to work becomes a necessity, some parents worry about maintaining their attachment with their newly adopted child. Holly van Gulden offers advice (and reassurance).
“Raising Our Daughters, Special Needs and All”
They'll each face different issues in their lives. But my daughters will get through them together, as real sisters.
Making Peace with Missing Information
We may not have the answers to all of our children's questions about adoption and their birth families. But we must accept that fact, so we can help our children come to terms with it, too.
”Attached at the Hip“
Learning to love my "barnacle" baby wasn't easy.
New Family Values
As more singles and gay and lesbian couples are becoming parents by way of adoption, their children may face questions from their schoolmates or tough class projects. Here's how families thrive.
Going Back to Work
AF readers find creative ways to balance career and family. In this special report, we share some of their best advice.
Balancing Cultural Activities in the Family Routine
If your child seems more interested in soccer than culture camp, don't panic.
Ask AF: Staying on Formula
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: When Pets Need a New Home
Adoptive parents who have made the difficult decision that their pets need a new home worry about sharing this news with their children. Diana Schwab, M.Ed., LSW, suggests ways to explain.
Ask AF: When “Crying it Out” Isn’t the Answer
A parent who recently adopted asks if letting her toddler son "cry it out" is the best way to go with regards to attachment. Diana Schwab, M.Ed., LSW, answers.
Imaginary Birth Parents
Your child may never have met his first mom and dad. But that doesn't mean he's not spinning stories about them.
Ask AF: Graduating from the Family Bed
Answers to your parenting questions.
“In the Company of Heroes”
Janis Cooke Newman asks herself, "Am I overdoing this adoption thing?"
A Memo to My Fellow Teachers
When it comes to adoption, instructors need to check their curriculum and their stereotypes.
“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.
“Embracing Differences”
Why should I try to make my son feel 'the same'? Why shouldn’t I learn to be more like him?