Adoptive Families readers share the when, what, and how of announcing their decision to grow their families.
All Grown Up
A parent's role changes when a teen leaves the nest. Here's how to start relating to your child as a young adult, and reinforce your bond.
“20 Years of Letters to Our Son’s Birth Mom”
Though we never heard back from our son's birth mother, I continued to write, bragging with a motherly pride I thought only she could understand.
[Book Review] Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other
Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other is a sweet collection of stories on adoption — told with Scott's trademark sense of humor, that doesn't ignoring the challenging aspects.
Legal Guide to Naming Your Child
What do we need to know about naming our child?
Getting the Grandparents on Board
Their grandparents' love secures our children a place in the family. Here's how to teach the older generation about adoption.
Creating a Personal Adoption Storybook for Your Preschooler
Telling your child's story in book form can cement his sense of belonging in your family and boost his self-esteem.
Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits
Now is the time to instill healthy eating habits, in meal choices and snack practices.
Other Brothers (and Sisters!)
Six families share their amazing stories about the power of birth sibling connections.
[Book Review] Shades of People
Have you noticed that people come in many different shades? Not colors exactly, but shades. These are the opening words from the beaming montage of young faces on the pages of this luscious children's book.
“Knowing Our Son’s Birth Father”
It has been hard to watch Kenneth struggle as a birth dad in an open adoption. I wish my husband and I could make it easier for him, and for our son.
“Introducing Tessa to Her Birth Father”
After seven years, we decided to bring our daughter's birth father back into her life. But was she ready for him?
Kids May Worry About Their Birth Parents After a Natural Disaster
Here's how to help your child regain her sense of security when current events trigger hidden fears.
“Why Don’t We Ever Visit My Birth Parents?”
After three domestic adoptions, we have three very different levels of openness with each of our children's birth families.
Preparing Siblings for an Older-Child Adoption
We've decided to adopt an older child. We have two children now, and we're wondering how best to integrate our new child into the family. What's your advice?
“Too Soon for a Family Vacation”: Older Child Adjustment
What we should have known before we took our newly adopted 13-year-old on a surprise Disney World vacation.
“Talking About Race in Our Blended Family”
A chance conversation in the car almost set our son apart from our family. But what happened brought him closer to me than ever.
Birth Parent Relationship Changes in the Teen Years
"We have a semi-open relationship with our 14-year-old son's birth mother. Recently, he asked if we could invite her for a weekend. I trust his birth mom, but I'm worried."
“We Did Not ‘Save’ Our Son”
Saying Matthew was "saved" implies doubt about his desirability, his worthiness to be adopted. "After all, you didn't have to take in this baby," is the unspoken message.
“Beating the Odds”
My prison birth could have set me up for a life of failure. But the love of my families has led me to one of resilience and hope.