When the first few weeks of parenthood were rocky, I found myself worrying: Did we adopt a child I'll never be able to love?
Waiting for Working Moms
Yes, it’s about your new family. But don’t forget to focus on your work life, too.
“Welcomed By Our Daughter’s Birth Family”
I asked my family not to come to the hospital when she was born, then mourned their absence. Enter her birth relatives.
Should We Be Color Blind?
Color blindness may not be the best approach for transracial families, explains a transracial parenting expert.
“Do I Love Him Yet?”
Before adopting an older child, I had never heard of post adoption depression. That's why it never crossed my mind when I had trouble attaching to my son.
Breaking the Racial Sound Barrier
In a society that considers "color-blindness" a noble attitude, parents may worry about talking about racism, but we must do it. Here's how.
“Four Unforgettable Introductions”
One adoptive dad describes four introductions he'll never forget— those first moments when he met each of his four children but wasn't yet their father.
Responding to “Invisible” Racism
Our society has gotten to the point where most people can agree that overt racism is wrong. Few would argue that segregation or using a racial slur is acceptable. But many more subtle forms of racism persist. Here's how to combat them.
“Instant Mom”
Nia Vardalos describes her first meeting with the preschooler she adopted from U.S. foster care.
When Teens Find Birth Family Online
Got a Web-savvy teen on your hands? Here's how to set safety guidelines for online birth family contact.
Letting Her Go: Chinese Birth Parent Search and Reunions
The first study on this topic provides fascinating insights about adoptees’ and parents’ motivations to search, search methods used, the initial reunion, and ongoing contact.
“From Foster to Adoptive Parent”
As foster parents, you open your hearts and home to a child even as you're preparing to reunite her with her birth mother.
Ask AF: Talking to Preschoolers About Racism
We're ready to talk to our child, who is black, about racism before she starts school. What should we say?
Talking About Race and Racism
Racism exists, and it's our job as parents to talk about it with our kids. Here's an age-by-age guide to handling those conversations.
Parenting Strategies for Blended Families
When your family includes biological and adopted children, how do you make sure everyone feels included?
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
If you're worried the child you're adopting has been exposed to alcohol prenatally, what should you watch out for?
“The Day I Gave My Heart Away”
A birth mother shares her feelings and thoughts about making an adoption plan for her child.
“Bigotry, Blindness, and Basketball”
What started off as a fun day on the courts left my heart hurting for my two brown boys, and the kids who excluded them.
“Letters of Love”
Sometimes I read the warm, loving letters my birth daughter's parents send and feel almost incapable of responding. But I always do.
A Forest of Family Trees
Inclusive assignments help your grade-schooler, as well as her classmates, learn about their lives and the world around them.