An expectant mother who's making an open adoption plan wonders how to explain to her child that his baby sibling will be adopted by another family. A birth mother offers advice.
Ask AF: Our First Visit with Our Child’s Birth Parents
A mother is nervous about the upcoming first birth family visit, wondering what it will be like, how to react if she or the birth mother get upset. Parents in open adoptions offer advice.
The Birth Parent Perspective: Stats and Chart
A study, the Early Growth and Development Study, is shedding light on open adoption attitudes and outcomes. Here are some basic findings, as well as AF poll results on families' open adoption experiences.
Ask AF: Disagreeing About Discipline with the Birth Family
A parent in an open adoption asks what do do (and how to explain to her son) when his birth family uses different discipline approaches for his birth sibling. Adoption expert Regina M. Kupecky, LSW, offers advice.
Keeping Up Contact with Birth Parents
An open adoption arrangement may be buffeted by passing time and changing circumstances. Here's how to make your relationship endure.
“Gifts to and from My Child’s Adoptive Family”
In an open adoption, what do you give to the person who means everything to you? Thoughts from a birth mom about the gifts that mean the most.
How Should New Parents Navigate the Hospital Experience?
Our open adoption expert explains how prospective adoptive parents can best navigate the emotional time spent at the hospital with the birth mother before bringing their new child home.
The Birth Parent Perspective
A major study reveals that open adoption works well for everyone involved. Hear what families say is good about the process — and what could be better.
A Durable Relationship with Your Child’s Birth Parents
Over the years, an open adoption arrangement may need to evolve to accommodate the changing needs of everyone involved — above all, the child.
Ask AF: Too Young to Understand Birth Family?
We have an open adoption with our 30-month-old son's birth family. Last night we were looking at a photo album.
“The Other Mother”
A birth mom and an adoptive mom delve into the complex — and surprising — realities of their open adoptions.
Secret Thoughts of an Adoptive Mother
An honest examination of an adoptive mother's feelings before, during, and after a transracial, open adoption.
“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?
“Losing Touch with Birth Parents”
When my son was six years old, his birth mother closed the door on our open adoption. Were we wrong to include her in his life?
Celebrating Russian Christmas
How do we celebrate the holidays? In all sorts of creative ways. Here, gifts of love exchanged by families in open adoptions, along with an assortment of customs, crafts, and recipes just right for our multicultural families.
Celebrating Kwanzaa
How do we celebrate the holidays? In all sorts of creative ways. Here, gifts of love exchanged by families in open adoptions, along with an assortment of customs, crafts, and recipes just right for our multicultural families.
Celebrating La Navidad
How do we celebrate the holidays? In all sorts of creative ways. Here, gifts of love exchanged by families in open adoptions, along with an assortment of customs, crafts, and recipes just right for our multicultural families.
“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.
“How Our Family Approached Our Birth Parent Search”
Three families describe their relationships with their children's birth parents — deciding to keep in touch, searching for birth parents, and managing an already open adoption.
Breaking Bad News: “I Have Something to Tell You”
How do you break bad news about job loss, illness, or divorce to the birth parents in an open adoption relationship?