As children get older, they come to understand that everyone experiences loss.
The Fantasy Parent
Ever heard, "My real mother wouldn't make me do that"? Don't despair. All kids, adopted or not, conjure a fantasy parent from time to time.
When Your Kid Clams Up
If your preteen is suddenly silent about adoption, look for "reachable" moments.
Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child
In this excerpt from her book, Jayne Schooler offers adoptive parents tools for helping their children make sense of the past.
Encouraging Your Child to Find a Passion
When kids find something they love and stick with it, they find their place in the world.
“Changing My Name to Mom”
As she prepares for the adoption of her third child, the author knows it is not just she who must be ready, but also the 9-year-old girl she's fallen in love with.
Is Your Child Ready for School?
She has her backpack, pencils, and notebook. But does she know how to field adoption questions that might come her way?
Adopting When You’re Single, Gay, Older, or Living Abroad
The growing number of one-parent households, availability of adoption subsidies in most states for children with special needs, and agencies' desire to find homes for children who are older or who have disabilities are driving the acceptance of single-parent adoption.
The Power of Mom
Who can teach an adolescent boy to open up? You guessed it.
When Your Teen Starts to Date
As adopted teens enter the dating game, unique issues will arise. Are you ready to tackle them?
Oh, Brother! Oh, Sister!
Adding another child to your family can be exhilarating. But first, you'll have to prep your preschooler.
In Search of Identity
It's not unusual for teens to start thinking more about their birth parents. In fact, it's normal.
Share Your Story: Evolving Holiday Traditions
We asked our reader panel: Did you adapt your family's existing holiday traditions after adopting your child? If so, tell us how.
Why Preschoolers Need Limits
Many of us want to indulge our children with gifts and leniency. But that's not what kids need.
Making Peace with Missing Information
We may not have the answers to all of our children's questions about adoption and their birth families. But we must accept that fact, so we can help our children come to terms with it, too.
”Attached at the Hip“
Learning to love my "barnacle" baby wasn't easy.
New Family Values
As more singles and gay and lesbian couples are becoming parents by way of adoption, their children may face questions from their schoolmates or tough class projects. Here's how families thrive.
Going Back to Work
AF readers find creative ways to balance career and family. In this special report, we share some of their best advice.
“We Got the Best One!”
Sometimes, bonds in adoption form so instantly, so mysteriously, you just wonder how you ever got this lucky...
“Embracing Differences”
Why should I try to make my son feel 'the same'? Why shouldn’t I learn to be more like him?