Answers to your parenting questions.
“Wait Gain: How We Dealt with a Wait That Kept Growing”
Waiting can be brutal, but there are some benefits. Take it from someone who endured 30 months before she got to hold her son.
Which Laws Apply to My U.S. Adoption?
In an interstate domestic adoption, it's not always clear-cut which state's laws will apply to the process. An adoption attorney explains how to determine "choice of law."
Ask the Adoption Medicine Expert: Choosing a Doctor
What is important when choosing an adoption pediatrician? Our adoption medicine expert has answers.
Ohio Law Gives Adoptees Access to Birth Certificates
On Friday, Ohio became the 12th state to provide access to original birth certificates for adoptees. Hundreds of adoptees lined up at the Ohio State Department in Columbus to request copies of their state-held birth certificates, newly available thanks to a law that went into effect that day. The legislation, signed into law in 2013,<a href="https://www.adoptivefamilies.com/resources/adoption-news/ohio-adoption-law-releases-birth-certificates/" title="Read more" >...a>
Ask the Doctor: Immunizations
We don't know whether our recently adopted child's immunization record is accurate. Also, shes missing several immunizations. What should we do?
Is Culture Camp for Us?
What will my child learn and talk about at camp? What would our family take away from a week attending together?
Ask AF: Birth Grandparent Contact?
Our expert explains how contact with birth grandparents can be beneficial for children, and the guidelines for setting up a relationship that will last.
“Three Little Words on My Adoption Day”
A decade of disappointing foster care placements made me doubt the two people who had taken me into their hearts.
View the Adoption Home Study Webinar Replay
View the replay of a webinar with social worker Stella Gilgur-Cook, LCSW, to learn about the adoption home study process and hear answers to commonly asked questions from prospective adoptive parents.
“Goodbye, Betty Jean”
Betty Jean Lifton (1926-2010) was an adoption author, advocate, and close friend. I'll miss her always.
It’s a Wrap! Adoption at the Movies 2014
A review of movies about adoption and foster care in 2014, along with questions and activities for families to have a discussion after the film.
Ask the Doctor: Sensory Integration Disorder
Our medical expert explains sensory integration disorder in adopted children, and everything parents can do to help children lead normal, happy lives.
Ask the Doctor: Early Intervention
Our expert explains everything parents need to know about early intervention. What children are eligible? How much does it cost? Which services are good?
Notable New Reads
Adoptive Families rounded up the best books about adoption published in 2014. Here are our favorites and new reads to add to your list.
Ask AF: Advice for the Time in the NICU
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Honoring a Birth Name
Adoptive parents who adopted their child internationally from Korea wonder how best to honor her birth name when the name has already been legally changed.
Understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act
Special rules may apply if a child you're adopting has any Native American or Alaskan Native heritage. Here's what prospective parents need to know about the Indian Child Welfare Act, and what steps to take if ICWA applies.
“The Rocking Chair”
A white rocking chair helped us through many sleepless nights during the wait, and through many happy memories after we brought our son home.
“Our Foster Adoption Journey” — Six-Part Series
Real parents who navigated the Fost/Adopt system successfully write about their rewarding experience in this six-part series.