An adoptive parent asks about a birth mother continuously pointing out physical resemblances, and wonders how to smooth out an open adoption arrangement. Read Joyce Maguire Pavao, Ed.D.'s response.
“In My Daughter’s Room”
The wait seemed endless. To fill the days — and focus my hopes — I painted, sanded, stenciled, and gradually gave shape to our baby’s place in our home.
Celebrating the Holidays While You Wait
It's tough to wait another year, especially during the holiday season. Here are some strategies that will help you until your child arrives.
“A Quilt for my Daughter”
By contributing squares filled with a prayer, blessing, hope, or dream, my friends and family became part of our adoption.
“Tripped Up During the Adoption Process By…My Fingerprints?”
As we marched through the approval process, my nerve was steady, my spirits high. But my fingertips failed me.
“All’s Fair in Love & Waahh!”
We had our fair share of disagreements over adopting for the first time. Now that we're moving forward to a second adoption, not much has changed.
“Don’t Hold Back”
Why should we miss out on the breath-holding, tiny-onesie-admiring, pink-and-blue joy of anticipating parenthood?
“Can You Talk to My Friend About Adoption?”
A family we barely knew gave us the encouragement we needed to adopt. I repay their kindness by doing the same for others.
Figuring Out Adoption
Preteens need a safe place to explore adoption questions.
The Many Benefits of Mentoring for Adopted Teens
An adopted teenager may find it easier to open up to an adoptee mentor than to a parent, and mentoring a younger adopted child can bring joy and confidence.
Nature vs. Nurture
When we judge our children’s birth parents, we often judge our children.
Proceeding with Caution in Birth Family Search
Adoptive parents sometimes initiate birth parent searches before their children are emotionally prepared to deal with the results.
Pursuing a Second Adoption
Parents who confidently dove into the unknown for their first child are sometimes more hesitant when it comes to doing it again.
[Book Review] The First Year: Hepatitis C
Written by two HCV postitive women, this book can help adoptive parents understand and manage the hepatitis C virus.
2019 Cover Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Adoptive Families Cover Photo Contest! See the nine photos selected from more than 500 entries, and read stories from the proud parents.
“Finding My Inner Mom”
For years, I felt ambivalence about becoming a parent, and worry that I wouldn’t be a “perfect” mother. In an open letter to my daughter, I look back on that moment of calm and utter clarity when we met.
Enter Our 2019 Cover Photo Contest
Do you want to see your child on the cover of Adoptive Families magazine? Enter our annual Cover Photo Contest today!
“Sliding Doors”
We all imagine different ways our lives could have played out. For adoptees, these fantasies may seem particularly compelling: ‘What would my life have been like if I had not been adopted?’
Letters to the Editor, RE: Nov/Dec 2018
Readers share feedback about articles published in the Nov/Dec 2018 issue of Adoptive Families magazine.
2018 Cover Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Adoptive Families Cover Photo Contest! See the nine photos selected from 1,000 entries, and read stories from the proud parents.