Our expert discusses the idea of adopting a "matching" sibling — and other ways to strengthen your child's racial identity.
Ask AF: Sudden Secrecy About Adoption
When your child reaches his preteen years, he may deny his adoption to fit in with peers. Ronny Diamond explains how parents can cope.
Ask AF: Sharing Tough Information
"We have very little information about our five-year-old daughter's birth parents, but what we do know is disturbing. When should we share this information, and how" Read Mary Ann Curran's answer.
Ask AF: Breast Milk or Formula
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Helping Kids who Feel “Different”
Your preteen wants to fit in, but how can she when she's "different"? AF explains how parents can help.
Ask AF: Older Child Adjustment
The older child we're adopting is coming to us after seven years of foster care in another country. How can we make the transition easier?
Ask AF: Children Separated by a Fost/Adopt
A mother wonders how much contact is best for her son and his biological siblings. Jayne Schooler weighs in.
Ask AF: Relative Adoption
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Introducing Solid Foods
Answering your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Talking About Sex & Marriage
Ronny Diamond discusses introducing conservative views on sex and marriage to your adopted child, without appearing to judge their birth family.
Ask AF: A Fantasy Father
Ronny Diamond discusses fantasy play in adopted children. In this case, a single mother worries about the imaginary "father" her daughter talks about.
Ask AF: After a Birth Family Reunion
Open adoption expert Kathleen Silber answers a question from a mother who feels like her son prefers his birth mother since their reunion.
Ask AF: Talking About Name Changes
Adoption expert Jayne Schooler discusses name changes after adoption, both for children adopted as infants and older adoptees.
Ask AF: Night Wakings
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Explaining the Death of a Birth Father
Adoption expert Debbie B. Riley, LCMFT, discusses how to explain the death of a birth father to your child, especially when the birth father has been rarely mentioned.
Ask AF: Birth Family Request for a Closed Adoption
Our child's birth family does not want any contact with our family. How can we explain this to our son?
Ask AF: Sleep Setups
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Difficult Details
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Tailoring Talks to Understanding
If your child is developmentally delayed, you may wonder what adoption language is appropriate for him. Ronny Diamond answers.
Ask AF: Post-Adoption Services
An adoption expert answers a question about post-adoption services after finalization, and whether parents can get help for a special needs child.