"Many parents feel guilty because their joy is the direct result of a difficult decision by the birth mother — someone you may have grown to care about. So when a new adoptive mother sees the birth mother in intense pain, she asks herself, 'Was adoption really the right thing to do?'"
[Book Review] Raising Adopted Children, Revised Edition
In this classic parenting manual, Melina holds parents hands every step of the way, from announcing your adoption and choosing a pediatrician to surviving the challenges of adolescence.
“Our Son’s Birth Mother Is Having a Baby!”
Our youngest son's birth mother is having a baby. How will all of our kids relate to this new birth sibling?
“Finding Her Birth Mother, A World Apart”
Opening our daughter's international adoption has allowed her to ask questions and receive answers, brought her birth mother a sense of peace from knowing that her child is alive, well, and happy, and given us the unforgettable privilege of personally thanking our child's birth mother.
Favorite Reads of 2013
Many new books with adoption storylines or themes were published in 2013. Here are your favorites, for parents and children, with our picks added to the list.
When Parents are the Educators
Raising adoption awareness at school can protect your child from thoughtless remarks and benefit classmates, teachers, and the school community. Just be sure to tread lightly and respect boundaries, especially your child’s.
When Holidays Don’t Measure Up
Holiday celebrations are supposed to be joyous, but they can be a minefield of mixed emotions.
A Family Identity
A family value statement can build strong bonds and see you through both good times and bad.
Dealing with Differences
Our culture isn't always compassionate toward those who fall outside the "norm." But we can help our children embrace their uniqueness — and become more tolerant, too.
Private Isn’t Secret
Nosy comments from strangers are one thing. But what do you do when it's a child who's asking difficult questions?
When They Just Don’t Get It
The world knows a lot more about adoption these days, but not enough. It's our job to keep chipping away at society's biases, for the sake of our kids.
When Your Child Has Birth Siblings
Parents who know that one child was placed for adoption while a sibling was not may wonder how to explain it in a way their child can understand.
What Your Child’s Teacher Needs to Know
Teachers are facing increasing demands in the classroom, so it's up to you to take the necessary steps to make sure your child's needs are met.
Ask AF: Contacting Birth Siblings
"Our 10-year-old daughter recently asked if she has any brothers or sisters. She does, but we don't know how to start explaining." Kathleen Silber offers advice.
When a Birth Parent Moves On
It's not that she doesn't care, it's that life takes twists and turns.
Dear Birth Mother
You've agreed to provide updates to your baby's birth mother. But now that your baby is home, what information do you share?
Contact with Birth Parents
We just brought our newborn home and are wondering how to communicate with his birth mother. How do we start?
Ask AF: Contacting a Birth Mother
A parent asks whether contacting her child's birth mother while the child is still a preteen is a good idea. Read Ronny Diamond's response.
Ask AF: Uncomfortable Level of Contact with Birth Family
Answers to your parenting questions.
Proceeding with Caution in Birth Family Search
Adoptive parents sometimes initiate birth parent searches before their children are emotionally prepared to deal with the results.