In Eleni's mind, my future husband would have two daughters, preferably between the ages of six and 14. And perhaps a dog or two, so the pets could keep each other company. (My husband would be my buddy, so we'd all have someone to play with.) We'd live in a big house, with a wraparound porch and flat-screen TVs. And if anything bad happened in the world–like if people started kidnapping lots of children, "Mommy — we'd all be there to protect each other."
Foster children in the US graduate college at shockingly low rates. One study tries to find out why.
When I adopted an older child, I was prepared to teach him what it means to have a family. Instead, I found myself with a little boy in deep mourning for the loss of his loving foster parents.
After 10 years, my husband and I were starting to doubt we'd ever be parents. But when the phone rang, I knew it was "The Call."
In our newly created transracial family, my husband's and son's matching blue hats was a tangible link. Something that said: We belong together.
I think I finally get it. This, what I feel now, is what being a mummy is supposed to feel like. I had wondered if I would immediately fall in love with my child; I thought I would be certain that he was "the one." But I didn't.
So Tiana moved into our bed. As time went on, she began to awaken, startled, reaching her little hand toward my side of the big bed. As soon as she felt me beside her, she would fall back asleep. By her third or fourth month home, Tiana was waking up every 10 minutes to make sure I was beside her. Her panic was palpable.
Looking for a new read? Check out these blogs on adoption, foster care, and life after infertility.
Writing and illustrating a fictional tale about a winged girl named Paloma helped my daughter and me talk about race, identity, and the realities of adoption. As a published book, it’s helping many other families do the same.
Adoption can be an unpredictable journey. We never realized just how unpredictable.
When my grandmother handed me her precious quilt and said, "I'm counting on you to have a girl," I knew I wouldn't let her down.
On our Facebook page , we asked readers, If you adopted a newborn domestically, do you know why your child’s birth mother or birth family selected you? Here’s what you said
Our son came to us from foster care, in a closed adoption. So how did I find myself walking through the doors of a dark funeral home, preparing to introduce myself to his other family?
Whether or not I believe in a higher being, and whether or not I frequent a house of worship, is a terrible predictor of what kind of parent I’ll be.
Infertility, parenting after adoption, growing up in an adoptive family, relinquishing a child—all give rise to complex emotions. Learn about the innovative Therapeutic Writing model that’s helping many lay bare and make sense of their innermost thoughts.
"Our daughter was underweight when she came home and very picky. Two years later, mealtimes are still constant battles to get her to eat enough and to try new foods.”
Our country is far from a “post-racial” society, as this last year has demonstrated. How can you ensure that your child will grow up feeling safe, secure in his identity, and close to your family? Commit to calling out racism and fighting injustice wherever you see it.
Each year, Adoptive Families polls newly formed adoptive families across the country. Here are the average expenses and timelines reported by families who completed international or domestic adoptions in 2013 or 2014.
Openness brings great benefits to all involved, as well as some unique dilemmas. Addressing them requires flexibility, sensitivity to the birth family, and confidence in yourself as parents. Here’s how to make it work for your family.
The story of Davion Navar Henry Only may have finally come to an end.
