"We are adopting from foster care and have an 'ice breaker' meeting with a 10-year-old boy scheduled for tomorrow. I’m super nervous. Can anyone share advice about forging a connection?"
Parents Share: Our Last-Minute “Stork Drop” Adoption
We asked, did you get "the call" that you'd been selected by a birth mother after the baby was already born? Parents respond with their experiences and been-there advice.
Ask AF: Rivalry with a Newly Adopted Sibling
"Our son had been excited about the idea of a 'little brother,' but, from the day our younger son came home, they have had intense rivalry; there was no 'honeymoon' period. What can we do?"
“…and so It Goes”
My older son is off at college, and I’ve been heartened to see that his “new normal” includes a maturing and strengthening of the bond between us. I look back to the day I met him, just over eight years ago, and our years of attachment struggles, even as I look to his future, and ours, with hope.
“The Advice I Wish I’d Gotten While Waiting to Adopt”
Most prospective adoptive parents don’t get cards or baby showers, or even much excitement. It’s time to change that. Buying something for your hoped-for baby won’t ‘jinx’ your plan to adopt, and 11 more things I wish someone had told me during the wait.
“What Being a Foster Family Has Taught My Children”
Amazingly, the number one question we’re asked about being a foster family is: “Are you afraid of what they'll teach your children?” So, what have my kids learned? To start—to be open, generous, non-judgmental, thankful for their warm home….
“…and Letting It Be” – My Son’s Transition to College
When I adopted my two sons eight years ago, they couldn’t separate themselves fast enough from their “old” life in Brazil. As I prepared to visit my oldest son two months into his “new” college life—a lifetime for any freshman—I wondered to what extent he might have compartmentalized his now “old” family life.
Never Too Old for Family – Myths and Realities of Foster Adoption
Today in the United States, more than 123,000 children in foster care are waiting for a permanent home through adoption. Nearly 45 percent of these children are ages eight or older—and desperately need the stability, guidance, and love that only a family can provide. Learn more of the myths and realities surrounding older child adoption.
Ask AF: Reconciling Different Personalities in Adoption
A mother finds herself exhausted trying to keep up with the boisterous, outgoing older child she's adopting, and also worries that the girl might start feeling "different" from the rest of the family (who are all naturally more reserved and quiet). An expert offers advice.
Ask AF: Feeling Depressed When Friends Announce They’re Pregnant
"Does anyone else feel jealous, weepy, depressed, and even a bit angry when friends or family members share the joyous news that they're pregnant? I am truly thankful for my daughter, adopted five years ago, but at the same time, their news reminds me of how little control I have over growing our family."
Parents Share: Birth Sibling Connections
We asked "Does your child have a birth sibling who lives with another adoptive family?" Parents respond and explain how they keep in touch (or why contact isn't possible).
Ask AF: Worried My Daughter Will Think Her Birth Mom Is More “Fun”
"My nine-year-old has been asking me about her birth mother. I was able to find her on social media, but I’m worried about sharing the photos I found."
Ask AF: Should We Try to Adopt Our Children’s Biological Sibling?
"Our children have a younger sibling in a different foster home. Should we fight to get custody of this child, whom we're told has a strong bond with her foster parents and foster siblings, or leave things be?"
“The Fine Line Between Letting Go and Being Let Go”
I adopted my son as he was entering his teen years, and now, too soon, I have seen him off to college. How will his still tenuous attachment play out when I’m no longer a constant, physical presence in his life?
Parents Share: Deciding What Age Child to Adopt
From newborns to teens to sibling groups, adoptive parents share the thought process behind their age preferences when adopting.
“Home Safe Every Night”
Isaac is 14 years old, but he’s six feet tall and almost two hundred pounds. He’s also black. He hasn’t been a discipline problem since the day he came home, but someone who doesn’t know him could see him as a threat. So what was I to do on a recent evening when he asked to bike home alone in the dark?
How to Raise a Bounce-Back Kid
Most kids are born to rebound whatever their start in life. Research shows that parents can help.
Raising a Child Who Loves Reading
Parents know that books are educational, but how do they make them fun for kids while building reading skills? Start with these three titles.
How Parents Can Encourage Language Skills
About 10% of children have speech and language difficulties. Help your child develop these skills with these five tips.
How Did You Prepare Your First Child for a Sibling?
We asked our readers how they introduced the idea of a second child to their first. Here's what they shared for each age group.