For many adoptive moms, post-baby depression is a real and painful ordeal. Shelley Page reports why it happens and how to feel better.
Medical Preparations for Adoption Travel
My family and I are traveling to meet our new baby. What medical preparations should I make?
Feeling Like Part of the Extended Family
The more you involve the grandparents (and aunts, uncles, and cousins, too) in you adoption process, the more your child feels like part of the clan.
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?
Contact with Birth Parents
We just brought our newborn home and are wondering how to communicate with his birth mother. How do we start?
“Someone Who Shares My Joy”
Our open adoption allows us to share the love we have for our daughter with her birth parents.
“The Final Step”
A mother is surprised at her tears when, standing in a courtroom, that last bit of red tape comes unstuck.
Latina — And Loving It!
Straddling two cultures, this powerhouse Hispanic-American woman takes on the world — and wins!
Transracial Adoption: A History in Black & White
What have we learned over 30 years—and what are we doing now to offer our children a better understanding of who they are?
From Their Mouths to Our Ears
It's never too early to assess our children's speech and language development — and to seek support if needed.
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.
“Right At Home”
Heritage trips help children discover their past — and influence who they become. Here, one adoptee describes his journey back to his birth country of Colombia.
“A Last-Minute Birth Mother Reunion”
Heritage trips help children discover their past — and influence who they become. Here, one family describes their journey back to their child's birth country of Korea.
Ask AF: Separation Anxiety?
Some adopted children may have some sort of separation anxiety, and need constant reassurance that you are indeed their "forever parents," advises Joni Mantell, LCSW.
Ask AF: Educating a Coworker
A co-worker made a flippant remark about adoption. Should I respond, or let it go?
Ask AF: Contacting a Birth Mother
A parent asks whether contacting her child's birth mother while the child is still a preteen is a good idea. Read Ronny Diamond's response.
Ask AF: Writing to a Birth Father
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: A New Line of Questioning
Recently, my 7-year-old has been asking me rather vague questions, such as, "Where am I?" or "Where do I belong?" I don't want to attribute every element of his development to adoption — but could that be behind these questions?
Ask AF: Telling Children About a Change of Heart
Adoption expert Ronny Diamond outlines how to tell children when an expectant mother match falls through, after they've become attached to the idea of a new brother or sister.