The vast majority of our children have birth siblings, yet parents may wonder how to approach the topic. Adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees share how they talk about biological siblings, and build brother-sister bonds.
“How I Deal with Nosy Questions”
Our daughter is not a public exhibit. She deserves to be protected from questions that undermine the legitimacy of our family.
“Where We All Belong”
When I was a teen, my parents decided to grow our family by adopting from foster care. How did it feel to suddenly gain four new brothers and sisters through adoption?
“The One Place I Thought I’d Fit In”
I'd expected to fit in at the adoptive parents' support group. At the first meeting, however, I found I was the only mom who'd adopted domestically, who looked like her child.
News Brief: New Jersey Unseals Adoption Records
A New Jersey law signed in 2014 went into effect on January 1, 2017, and adoptees in that state may now access their original birth certificates and other adoption records.
Ask AF: Should We Adopt Our Child’s Birth Siblings?
A mother of three seeks advice on adopting her child's birth siblings. She worries that her child will feel hurt if they don't, but also that they won't have the energy or resources to parent more children.
Ask AF: Roles and Titles in Kinship Adoption
"I adopted my grandson through a kinship adoption. He's now six and has recently begun calling me 'Mommy' and saying he was in my tummy. Is this OK, or do I need to reiterate that I'm his grandmother?"
Parent-to-Parent: My Favorite Adoption Memory
Adoptive parents and adoptees share their favorite adoption memories from the past year, including first Mother's Days, finalizing adoptions, and gaining access to open records.
“The Red Thread of Fate”
More than a decade ago, I was hopefully working my way toward an adoption from China. After a tragedy derailed my plans, I wound my way to family in an entirely different way.
The Top 19 Books About Adoption in 2016
Looking for your next great read? Check out our editor-curated list of the most noteworthy books about adoption from 2016.
Share Your Story: Pre-Adoption Education
Some international adoption regulations require pre-adoption education for prospective adopters. Do you think this is a good idea? What kind of preparation did you have? Would you do anything differently?
News Brief: Adoptee Deported to Colombia
Following Adam Crapser's deportation to Korea in October 2016, a woman adopted from Colombia as a child was deported in December. She was forced to leave behind her young son.
News Brief: More Children in Foster Care Than One Year Ago
A new report shows that there were more children in U.S. foster care at the end of 2015 than 2014. This is the third year this number has risen.
News Brief: Adoptees Retain Subconscious Knowledge of Birth Language
A new study has found that adoptees retain a subconscious knowledge of their birth language and may be able to learn the language more quickly as adults.
Share Your Story: Choosing a Route
We asked our reader panel: "How, and why, did you choose between the different types of adoption?" This is what they shared.
Did Your Family Include a Reluctant Spouse?
Four years ago, my husband and I were happily raising our two daughters by birth when I decided that I was ready to adopt a son of a different race. My husband was content with our family as it was, and I struggled to give him the time he needed to think about adopting.
10 Questions to Ask When Considering a Heritage Camp
Most are designed for families. Other camps are just for kids, such as Holt Adoptee Camp (right), a sleep-away experience for children ages nine to 16.
When It Comes to Homework—Are You Doing Too Much?
Battles over homework can disrupt family life any evening of the school week. To lessen the trauma, parents frequently step in to help and occasionally step over the line. We asked Anita Pollic, a fourth grade teacher at Lebanon Christian School in Lebanon, Ohio, about this important topic.
The Thumb Versus the Pacifier
There's no reason to introduce pacifiers to older children who've been doing just fine without them.
“Our Daughter is Growing Up”
Our only child is away this week. It's a first for us, 11 busy years after we triumphantly carried our daughter home from the adoption agency.