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?
What Do Religious Beliefs Have to Do with Parenting?
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.
Putting Your Feelings on Paper
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.
Expanding a Picky Eater’s Palate
"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.”
Raising a Child of Color in America — While White
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.
Cost & Timing of Adoptions in 2013-2014
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.
Open Adoption: A Reference Guide for Families
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.
Davion’s Forever Family
The story of Davion Navar Henry Only may have finally come to an end.
“If at First You Don’t Succeed…”
Before trying to have kids, I'd never failed at anything. Though I still believe in planning and hard work, it was something else that brought me my two beautiful boys.
Responding to Assumptions About Culture
Children at my daughter's school assume she speaks Spanish, even though she was raised in an English-speaking family. What can we do?
“Music to My Ears”
At 10, Julia is fully attached to my husband and me. We are a solid forever family, the three of us. But our daughter is still reticent about investing passion elsewhere. There are no posters of Justin Bieber in her room. There is no friend from school she calls her BFF. Not one thing that really, really matters.
Ask AF: Comments on Beauty
An adoptive parent asks AF's expert for help with how to respond when strangers make comments about her children's appearances.
Ask AF: Affirming Belonging
An adoptive parent whose young child realized her skin color was different asks AF's expert for help with talking about race and belonging in a blended family.
“A Hunger for Words”
The elusive memory of a kindred spirit has steered me, over the years, toward the heart of my own story.
“Dear Friends and Family” — Sample Adoption Announcement Letters
You've made the decision to adopt. How do you tell friends and family? Use the following letters as guides when composing your own.
“Embracing Our Daughter’s Culture…at Dinner”
When we adopted our daughter from China, our appetites were insatiable. It started a family tradition of celebrating culture and heritage at dinner time.
“Come Play with Me!”
Projective play can help kids work out complex feelings about adoption. So, the next time your child says, "Come play with me!" Make sure you say, "Yes!"
“Adoption 101 in Room 26”
When presenting adoption to 10-year-olds, the teacher's cooperation and your child's involvement are key.
New Questions About Open Adoption
As our child gets older, he keeps coming up with more and more questions about his adoption!
Why Babies Need Books
Babies respond not only to the visual stimuli of books, but to the intimate act of storytelling.