Was moving from a semi-open adoption to a fully open one, with visits, the right decision for my birth son and for the daughter I was raising?
“My Parents Never Judged My First Mother”
With her swollen belly, my classmate reminded me of my own first mother. People expected her to be ashamed, but I wondered, how can someone be ashamed of the mother without also being ashamed of the baby?
“A Table Laden with Meaning”
While a meal might seem trivial at one level, it may also be filled with lessons about identity, culture, and family.
Why We Chose Adoption
Parents share the story of how they decided to become parents through adoption, and what factored into their decision.
Ask AF: No Longer the Only Boy
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: When Preteens Face Prejudice
My 12-year-old, adopted from China, has recently been saying she doesn't want to go to school. Last night I finally got her talking. She said, "There are kids who disrupt the class and are racist. They tell Asian jokes." Her school is diverse, but there are few Asian students. How can I help her?
“Our Frantic 24 Hours After Getting the Adoption Call”
We had only been "active" with our adoption agency for two months. So when my husband went on a camping trip with no cell reception, we thought, "What could go wrong?"
“Finding Peace with My Adoption Plan”
As a birth mother, my path to adoption was full of conflicting feelings. But at the moment my son was born — when two women came together in the same instant to love him — I felt at peace.
“The Decision to Adopt a Child with Prenatal Drug Exposure”
Typically, I would have spent weeks — if not months — gathering information and exhausting every possible scenario. But there wasn't time for analyzing. My son needed me.
“Blood Doesn’t Mean Family”
After reuniting with my birth family and studying in my birth country, I felt closer to my adoptive family than ever.
“Teaching Our Daughter That Her Needs Matter”
My little girl didn't fuss, never cried, and was utterly compliant. It was up to us to teach her to shove, yell, and demand — and find her voice.
What Does the Expectant Mother’s Attorney Do?
When an expectant parent chooses to be represented by an attorney, it is important for all of the parties in the adoption to understand that the role of the attorney is to advocate for his client. Our adoption law expert explains.
“What ‘Real’ Means to Me” – An Adoptee’s Story
Being asked who your "real parents" are is part of being an adoptee. Even though I know now what parenting means, those four letters still make me cringe.
“Meeting the Parents Who Would Adopt My Grandchild”
My daughter "gave up" nothing when she became a birth mother. She lovingly placed her precious baby girl in the arms of parents who would prove eager to embrace us all.
“When Will My Daughter Truly Know What Adoption Means?”
"It's a hard truth, a harsh reality to take in, that love and pain can be so connected, so entwined. When will she truly know what adoption means? When will she finally learn the whole truth of what this word means?"
Claiming Your Role as a Parent
Daring to parent an older child who has experienced hurt or neglect in the past will help him learn to trust and love.
Ask AF: Explaining a Birth Sibling’s Adoption
Answering your parenting questions.
Piecing Together a Medical History
What do parents need to know about medical history when adopting a foster child?
What I Wish I Had Known
After the initial adjustment stages, parents who adopt older kids often say, "Why didn't someone tell me that?" Here are eight of the lessons families I've worked with over the past 25 years have learned.
India Adoption Fast Facts
Wondering how to adopt from India? Find statistics, prospective parent requirements, personal stories, and more resources.