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.
Ask AF: Ending the Comparison
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.