Saying Matthew was "saved" implies doubt about his desirability, his worthiness to be adopted. "After all, you didn't have to take in this baby," is the unspoken message.
Answering The Daddy Question
When children ask about a "missing spouse," how should single parents answer?
Age-by-Age Ways to Celebrate Birth Culture
An age-by-age guide to cultural activities that help our children take pride in their identity.
“Pushing Past My Fears to Become a Single Mother”
A recent "adventure vacation" I took with my daughter brought back memories of the scariest leap of all — becoming a single mom.
“A Homeland Trip with My Teens”
I planned our homeland trip, hoping to see my children's birthplaces. Surprisingly, those proved elusive, but we found meaning at every turn.
“Growing Up Feeling ‘Chosen'”
Children's understandings of and personal fantasies about their adoption stories may differ from what you tell them. My version saw my parents wandering the aisles of "Baby Market."
“Moving Past My Infertility”
My infertility was in the past. But was I ready to laugh at immature teenage jokes about adoption?
Ask AF: Teen Friendships
Answers to your parenting questions.
“Missing My Mom as I Became a Mother”
After I lost my mother, parenting seemed too difficult to face. But her faith in me gave me the strength to push through.
Building Identity: “Who Can I Be?”
From workshops and playshops to heritage travel and adoptee camps — there are tons of way to teach your kid about their culture!
Combating Bullying with Books
Children's literature can be particularly helpful in opening up conversations on difficult topics. An adoptive mom reviews four books about bullying.
[Book Review] Born in Our Hearts
Together, two anthologies offer a complex, realistic account of adoption.
“Would I Be Allowed to Adopt After the Diagnosis?”
I was terrified that telling our social worker I'd been diagnosed with bipolar disorder would end our dream of having a child.
“Someone to Watch Over Me”
A Russian toddler flourishes despite a babyhood in an orphanage abroad.
The “China Doll” Syndrome
When excessive attention sets children apart.
“Certificate of Live Birth and Parentage”
The document we receive is not called a Mothering Certificate, it's a Certificate of Live Birth. So why isn't the birth mother's name on there?
Are You Ready to Adopt?
You're thinking of adopting a child. You're learning as much as you can about the process and the issues. But, you keep coming back to the same question: How will I know when I am ready to take this life-changing step? To answer this question you need to think about why you want to adopt.
“A Home for Helen”
She was a motherless five-year-old living in an Ethiopian orphanage. The package in her hands promised a brighter future.
When the Circle of Family Grows
Parents always celebrate when a new child joins their family. But adoptive moms and dads might want to mark their blessed event with a meaningful ceremony beyond the usual festivities.
Is Your Family Ready for a Homeland Journey?
Heritage trips help children discover their past-and inspire who they'll become. Help your child prepare for the journey with these expert-tested tips.