When it comes to adoption, teachers can be part of the solution. The key is to explain it to students in age-appropriate ways.
32 Noteworthy Adoption Books Published in 2017
Adoption found its way into dozens of new books published in 2017, including several literary award winners and high-profile bestsellers that engage with and question adoption in complex and sometimes challenging ways.
Share Your Story: Announcing Your Adoption
We asked our Reader Panel: Outside of your immediate family, who was the first person you told about your decision to adopt, and how did you tell them?
Share Your Story: Adoption & School
We asked our readers: How did you decide whether to introduce the topic of adoption at your child's school? What actions did you take, if any, to start explaining adoption to classmates or teachers? What advice do you have for other parents about how to best interact with your child's teachers?
When Adoption Travel is a Family Affair
Guess who's coming with moms and dads on the adoption trip? Their moms and dads!
“You Have to Be Perfect.” And Other Adoption Myths
Sometimes it's not just those unfamiliar with adoption who are misinformed.
Parent-to-Parent: “Do You Talk with the Teacher About Adoption?”
Do you tell the teacher that your child was adopted at the start of a new school year? See parents' answers.
“Seeing the Bigger Picture in Adoption”
I used to see adoption from only one viewpoint—that of the adoptive parents. But working in the field before becoming an adoptive mother opened my eyes to how complex and bittersweet adoption can be.
Ask AF: Family Interactions After Kinship Adoption
"We are adopting my sister-in-law's teenage son after fostering him for five years. What can I say to her at family gatherings, to family who still don't get that we'll be his legal parents—and to my son, who hears all of this?"
Ask AF: My Husband Wants to Keep Adoption “Secret”
"My husband was advised that some adoptive parents 'hide' the adoption process and feign pregnancy on social media for friends and extended family. Has anyone done this?"
Adoption Through a Child’s Eyes
By tuning in to what children understand about adoption at different ages, our talks become richer, more intimate, and ultimately more effective.
Adoption at the Movies
Films with adoption or foster care storylines, or with themes of separation, identity, or belonging, can spark tough, must-have conversations with your children. Ready to start watching—and talking? Start with one of these recommendations.
“Why I Attend Adoption Conferences”
As I listened to the haunting soundtrack recently, I realized that The Truman Show is also about adoption. As the realization of his life dawns on Truman, he confronts his fears, leaves his home, and runs straight to the only person who has ever told him the truth.
Parent-to-Parent: Post-Adoption Contact Agreements
Parents in open adoptions share whether they have a post-adoption contact agreement with their child's birth parents and, if so, what it includes.
Ask AF: New Feelings About Adoption as a Teen
"After years of seeming OK about being adopted, my teenage daughter has become sad and angry about it recently. How can I help her deal with her new emotions?"
Confronting Stereotypes and Prejudice About Adoption
"Adopted Teen Arrested," the newspaper headline reads (never "Birth Teen Arrested"). Is this just another example of sensationalism by the media or do adopted teens get into more trouble than their non-adopted peers?
Making the Decision to Grow Your Family Through Adoption
Have you been wondering whether to bring a second (or third) child into your home? An adoption social worker helps parents contemplating adoption to unpack their motivations and make the decision with eyes wide open.
When Relatives Hold Dated Views About Adoption
"I need help dealing with unsupportive relatives who seem to think 'adoption' is a dirty word. How can I talk with them about adoption?"
Share Your Story: Domestic Adoption and Attachment
We asked our readers: Before your adoption, were you concerned about bonding with your baby? After your newborn came home, what parenting techniques did you practice that enhanced attachment?
“What is Adoption?”
When your child's classmates have questions, you can provide the answers.