Between the ages of nine and 12, children register the meaning of adoption–and this can bring harder questions and more complex emotions. AF takes a look at what's going on in the minds of preteens, and offers advice for talking with them.
“An Unmatched Set” Can I Love a Child Who Doesn’t Look Like me?
Could I love a child who doesn't look like me? Yes. More than I've ever thought possible.
The Reluctant Spouse
Don't be surprised if your mate resists adoption even as you are embracing it.
Ask AF: Talking About Adoption in School
We're moving to a much smaller and less diverse town. I would like to talk to give an adoption talk at her school, but she seems embarrassed by this idea.
“What the Books Didn’t Tell Me”
When Christopher joined our family at age three, I had to set aside my tried and true parenting methods in favor of the sort of nurturing he'd never known.
“When Will an Expectant Mother Pick Us?”
During the long wait for an adoption match, friends and family may be sympathetic, but they don’t understand the anxiety that leads you to question every aspect of your adoption profile — and yourself.
More Than Just the Blues
How to recognize and cope with post-adoption depression.
Do We Stop at Just One?
Wondering whether to raise an only child? Half of all adoptive families do. How they thrive, despite occasional (or frequent!) second thoughts.
“No Longer Hoping for a Miracle Pregnancy”
An imminent hysterectomy is helping me realize that I no longer want to become pregnant — I only want to be the best mother I can be to my children, who came to me through adoption.
What to Expect During Your Adoption Finalization
Adoption can't be finalized until after marathon of post-placement visits and termination of parental rights. Here's what to expect before, during, and after the hearing.
Searching for Self
Can't pry your teen from the computer? The Internet can be a great tool for finding identity and networking with other adopted teens.
“Cornrows Fit for a Ballerina!”
A simple hairstyle was not so simple for a dance class full of little girls with beautiful heads of black hair.
Ask AF: Bonding with a Newborn
My baby will already be two days old when I bring her home. Should I be concerned about bonding?
Your Child’s Medical History
The information you need to know, and how to track it down.
Talking Matters
If you look like your child, you may be spared inquisitive glances or nosy questions about adoption from strangers. But that doesn't mean you don't have to discuss the topic.
“From Our Hearts”: Letters to Our Child’s Birth Parents
Writing about the little things in letters to our daughter's birth parents often tells a bigger, warmer story in the end.
Surprising Post-Adoption Emotions
When you finally bring your child home, yes, you will feel elated. But many new adoptive moms and dads are surprised by the complex emotions that can sit on the outskirts of that joy.
What Should We Include In Our Contact Agreement?
We've been selected by a birth mom who is due in two months. Our attorney advised us to draw up a contact agreement prior to the birth. What should we include?
When Therapy Is in Order
Sometimes, a teen's behavior calls for outside help. What to watch for and how to find the right adoption therapist.
Helping Your Preschooler Feel Good About Race
Preschoolers are starting to notice racial differences. Adoptive parents have a responsibility to talk about them.