When my husband and I dreamed of raising bilingual children, we had no idea that one of their languages would be rock and roll.
“Learning to Love in Our New Family”
I had gone to the end of the world to find my baby. So why didn't we bond, and why didn't I feel like a mother?
When Teens Explore Religion as Part of Their Identity
Teens have a lot of questions — including some about family religion.
“Knowing Me As Mom”
Before we adopted her, Grace had never called anyone Mom or Dad. But she understood the concept of family with a wisdom beyond her years.
“How was the bonding?”
The woman's question was the very one I had long ago asked strangers. And it was one I'd had to find the answer to on my own.
“A Fearless Love”
I expected that my new daughter would need some time to get used to me, but I never thought she'd be frightened by me.
“Coming Clean About My Troubled Past with an Expectant Mother”
Coming clean to our birth mother about my unstable past helped us build a solid foundation for our future.
Wearing the Adoption Cape
I used to be all about saving the world–and my kids–from stupid "adoption-speak." Then I learned that being a mom isn't about the heroics.
Gifts for Birth Parents
Our readers share their recommendations for gifts for birth parents at the time of placement. Their advice? Keep it small and personal!
10 Domestic Adoption Travel Tips
Try these tips to travel lighter and more easily for domestic adoption.
How Should We Deal with Unsupportive Relatives?
How do you respond to family members who say they don't understand why you're adopting? Members of AdoptiveFamiliesCircle share their advice.
Building “Nontraditional” Families
Our legal expert explains what gay, lesbian, and single parents need to know when building their nontraditional families during the process of adopting.
Comments from Adults of Your Child’s Race
When you're raising a child of another race, you may find that adults of that race approach you with questions or comments. AF's transracial adoption expert explains what you can say.
“Maternal Instincts”
My daughter's birth mother helped me trust my own maternal instinct.
Are Adoptees Selfish For Wanting To Search?
Finding my birth family has never been an attempt to replace anyone else, but simply an effort to find myself, a desire my adoptive family understands.
“Unexpected Contact with Our Child’s Birth Mother”
We hadn't planned on an open adoption. But when my daughter's birth mother requested a letter, how could I say no?
“Prison Baby”
In this personal essay, one adoptee describes all the questions she wanted to ask her birth mother when she visited her birth country: a jail.
Ask AF: Creating a Lifebook for a Teen
One adoptive mother wonders if she should make a lifebook, even though she doesn't have many photos of his life before he came to her. AF readers respond.
Ask AF: Proof of Parenthood
When I take my daughter of a different race to the dentist or gym, I'm often asked to provide a document confirming my parenthood. Is this OK?
Ask AF: When Rocking Behavior Interferes with a Good Night’s Sleep
Our adoptive son rocks before going to sleep, and it's started waking him up at night. How can we help him break out of this disruptive bedtime routine?