A foster youth living in a group home defied the odds to become Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen.
Ask AF: When a Teen Wants to Know Both Birth Parents
Q: My 14-year-old knows her birth mother, but her birth father never wanted to be a part of her life, and is currently incarcerated. She wrote him a letter several months ago and didn’t get a response, and has been struggling with this. Her older brother has good relationships with both of his birth parents, which I believe makes it harder for her.
“The Baby Sister Effect”
An amazing transformation occurred in our family when we brought our newly adopted baby girl home to our two biological sons, then seven and nine. Like other boys their ages, my sons thought mostly about sports, food, Star Wars, playing with their friends, and, occasionally, about school.
“A Test of Character”
In June of 2004, while flying with my family to China, I wondered what our new family would be like. Would our two boys, our biological sons, treat their new sister differently? Our oldest, Dakota, was four at the time of our trip, and Cole was almost three.
“A Love We Never Expected”
When we first considered adoption, my husband and I discussed how much contact we were willing to have with the birth mother. We didn't realize how close we'd become to the whole birth family.
“I Have Four Moms”
For many parents who adopted children internationally, a birth mother relationship is uncharted territory.
“Our Happiest Meal”
Last September, after a Saturday morning of shopping with my mother, we stopped for a frozen yogurt. Around 12:15 P.M. I got a call from Kelly Jacobson, a contact at our agency. I presumed it was something volunteer related, as I had been helping out at the agency, so I calmly answered the phone.
“Taking Moms for Granted”
We try to teach our daughter Mariah gratitude. But I know we're doing something right when she takes us for granted.
“Why My Daughter Wants Me to Marry”
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."
Improving College Graduation Rates for Foster Children
Foster children in the US graduate college at shockingly low rates. One study tries to find out why.
“Eli’s First Year Home”
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.
“A Night I’ll Never Forget”
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."
“A Hat Just Like Dad’s”
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.
“Finally Feeling Like Mummy”
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.
“My Nights with Tiana”
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.
A Few of Our Favorite Blogs
Looking for a new read? Check out these blogs on adoption, foster care, and life after infertility.
“Letting Our Story Soar”
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.
“What Plans?”
Adoption can be an unpredictable journey. We never realized just how unpredictable.
“Giving Me Her Quilt — and Her Dream”
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.
The Expectant Mom Match
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