On our Facebook page, we asked readers: What qualities do you most admire in your child that are most different from your own? Here's what they had to say.
Parent-To-Parent: Time for Cake!
On our Facebook page, a reader asked for help: "Does anyone have suggestions for what to write on a cake to celebrate finalization?" Here are some of your ideas for topping off the icing on the cake.
“Making Time for My Daughter…and Myself”
I have been doing poorly at the job that's the most important in the world to me–being a good mother to my daughter. I accepted my current position in part so I could afford things for her, such as private school. Now I find myself robbing her of the things that mean the most: my time and attention and patience.
Ask AF: Honoring a Birth Mom’s Memory
Spurred, in part, by my daughter's questions, I recently initiated a search for my six-year-old's birth mother. I learned that her birth mother died a year ago. Do I need to tell my daughter now? If so, how?
Our Family Snapshots
We asked AF readers to send in their most memorable family portraits, and the response we got was overwhelming. Each photo represented a story that was inspiring, fascinating, and unique. Here are a few of our favorites.
Welcome Home: Our Adoption Announcements
We asked AF readers to share their child's adoption announcements, and we were stunned by the creativity shown in your responses. These are a handful of our favorites.
Sibling Snapshots
From the first meeting to a grown-up wedding, readers shared candid photos of adopted siblings. Here are some of our favorites.
Ask AF: Smoothing the Transition to College
We're worried that our daughter, who had trouble with attachment, might struggle as she goes off to college. How can we support her during this time?
Ask AF: “Hands Off His Hair, Please”
My son is African American. When we're out, people frequently approach us, and want to touch his hair. Most seem to be well-meaning, but is this ever OK? What can I say?
“The Promise of a Thousand Memories”
"Your baby is coming!" Our daughter's birth mom, Brooke, had finally gone into labor, almost two weeks late. The call came at 3:30 A.M., and we were out the door by 4 A.M. The toy dangling from the empty car seat rattled like a ticking clock as we drove along the highway for two long hours.
“Our Initiation Into Parenthood”
Our first foster placements were a two-year-old girl and her baby brother. Their last placement had disrupted due to her primal fits. As a child therapist, I dealt with children all day, sometimes for an hour at a time. I told my husband we could handle it. I’ll get back to that later.
Ask AF: Telling Our Child We’re Adopting
Answers to your parenting questions.
Proposed Law Would Make Adoption Tax Credit Refundable
A bipartisan bill seeks to make the adoption tax credit refundable, helping lower-income families.
Hiring Your Adoption Professional
Doing your homework helps you feel comfortable with your selection. How can you find that same comfort level when you hire an adoption professional? You probably have not done that before, and you may not know anyone else who has, either. You may not know what to ask for or how to get what you need.
[Book Review] In My Heart
Molly Bang's warm, reassuring children's book provides a tender reminder of the bond between parent and child, even when they are apart all day long. In My Heart doesn't mention adoption, but the illustrations led my son to say, "Look, Mom! He's adopted, like me!"
[Book Review] Telling The Truth To Your Adopted Or Foster Child: Making Sense Of The Past
Betsy Keefer Smalley and Jayne E. Schooler's book will help parents who are struggling to find the right words to tell an adoption story in a positive and realistic way.
“My First Mother’s Day”
My first Mother's Day took me from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Chicago. It was the day I was baptized into motherhood.
“When I Knew I Was Ready to Adopt”
Even after we turned in our paperwork, I wasn't 100-percent certain I was ready to adopt. But when the time was right, I knew.
“To Those Still Waiting”
Our "adoption journey" was not an easy one. No, our road was bumpy and dark and full of unmarked turns that were gently referred to by our social workers as failed matches or changes of heart. With every disappointment we endured, I struggled with what I call the both/and—holding two conflicting feelings at once.
Ask AF: Upset About Mom’s Pregnancy
Q: We adopted our daughter from foster care at age 11. Two months ago, I found out I was pregnant. At first she was very excited, but now she huffs or changes the subject whenever it comes up. I’m sure she’s upset that she’ll have to share her room and her parents, but how can I prove that our love for her will remain the same?