Visiting our son in the orphanage where he lived revealed the humbling truth that he'll leave behind a lovely way of life.
“Where Will We Fit In?”
Selling my parents' house makes me wonder where to put down roots for our family of two.
“Fostering Love”
With fost-adopt, I didn’t need to own a home or have $50,000 in the bank to become a parent.
Mommy, Where Did I Come From?
Many adoptive parents mistake talking about the culture or place their child is from is enough. Learn why talking about birth parents matters.
“Losing Sleep”
As my daughter discovers the brave new world of sleepovers, she and I are both missing out on some shut-eye.
“No More Monkey Business”
Cake? Check. Invitations? Check. Favors? Check. Acknowledgement of racial injustice…? Choosing a theme for my son's birthday party involved more than we had anticipated.
“When I Grow Up”
My daughter’s daydreams about her future family may be a little offbeat. Works for me—as long as she always follows her heart.
“The Worry Box”
When my daughter's anxieties took on a surprising intensity after big life changes, I taught her a special technique for managing worries.
“Getting to Meet Her Birth Mother”
A daughter — and her mother — look forward to a very special family reunion.
“The View from Here”
As I see it now, my golden years are likely to be filled with pet doggies and boxed mac and cheese. And I can’t imagine anything better.
Welcoming Your Child Home
We asked our readers: "What did you do to welcome your child into your family?" Here are some of the letters we received!
“Running to Mommy”
I knew it would be hard for my daughter’s birth mother to give her up. But I didn’t think I’d feel so guilty for taking her.
“When Did My Little Girl Grow Up?”
My daughter is still very much a little girl. But with every passing week, it’s getting frighteningly easier to imagine her teen years.
Helping Your Child Sleep
Last month we asked: Have you discovered ways to make bedtime easier or to help your child sleep through the night?
“Someone I Will Never Know”
I had never met my child's birth mother. Could I learn to love her?
“Knowing Their Brother’s Birth Mother”
We knew that our youngest son's birth mother would be a powerful force in his life. We didn't anticipate the impact she'd have on his older brothers.
“My Mother’s Ring”
This heirloom bridges the past with the future, connecting my daughter to our family in profound, unexpected ways.
“Becoming Your Mother the Moment We Met”
Still jet-lagged from a 15-hour flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, then another to Shanghai and another to your province, I awoke at dawn knowing that this was the day that I would finally meet you—my baby girl.
“Becoming His Sister’s Guiding Light”
One year after adopting an infant girl, we adopted a "special needs" child with a cleft lip and palate. Ever since his sister was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, he's become her guiding light.
“Blurring the Line”
Mississippi has the largest population of African Americans in the United States, and the color line seems to be drawn in permanent ink or, perhaps, in blood. Because of this, I always believed I would never go back after my daughters came home from Haiti.