A little boy. His new mom. What ultimately brought the two of them together? Music, sweet, sweet music.
Talking with Teens About Sex and Dating
Having "the talk" with your teen is necessary — and it can turn into an emotional conversation about birth parents.
Birth Parent Fantasies
Your child's birth mother looms large in her imagination now. What's your grade-schooler really thinking?
“A Complicated Privilege”
Was hiring someone to search for our daughter's Guatemalan birth mother the right thing to do? We decided we had no choice but to try to meet her.
Easing an Older Child’s Adjustment
The transition from foster care to forever family can be difficult on a child. Use these strategies when bringing home an older child.
“Why Did You Buy a Foreign Child?”
When an anonymous poster invaded our neighborhood message board, I knew I had to answer back.
“Yes, Black Women Do Adopt”
Talking with Black women about adoption became a routine part of motherhood for me, alongside diapers, homework, and the warmth I feel every time I look at my son.
“A Table Laden with Meaning”
While a meal might seem trivial at one level, it may also be filled with lessons about identity, culture, and family.
What Does the Expectant Mother’s Attorney Do?
When an expectant parent chooses to be represented by an attorney, it is important for all of the parties in the adoption to understand that the role of the attorney is to advocate for his client. Our adoption law expert explains.
Is There a “Best” Bottle?
Practical aspects of bottle feeding, tailored to your baby's needs.
Birth Parent Fantasies — and Fears
An adopted child may imagine life with her birth parents as "the road not taken." Parents should share what they know and support exploration.
White Dad, Black Son
In a society that claims to be "color-blind," we must parent deliberately.
Is PAL Too PC?
Positive adoption language helps correct misunderstandings about adoption. But is it too politically correct?
Adapting Expectations
When you adopt a toddler or an older child, be prepared to encounter some surprising behaviors. Experts and parents share their strategies and successes.
“Finding Her Voice After Eight Years Without a First Language”
Since adopting a deaf older child from China, it's been my privilege to become her interpreter, her voice, her audience, and her mom.
“Should I Proclaim My Family’s Multiracial Identity?”
My son's Mexican heritage is not apparent to others. Is it my responsibility to identify ourselves as a multiracial family?
“We’re Adopting!” How to Announce Your Decision to Friends and Family
Adoptive Families readers share the when, what, and how of announcing their decision to grow their families.
Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits
Now is the time to instill healthy eating habits, in meal choices and snack practices.
“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.
“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.