Features
Instant Mom
Nia Vardalos and her husband had just 14 hours notice before they brought home a preschooler via U.S. foster care. AF is pleased to share this excerpt from Instant Mom, her hilarious, poignant memoir of her adoption journey.
Hooray for Heritage
How do you honor your child’s origins? Readers share what they’ve done, from summer culture camps or taking homeland (or home state) trips, to everyday ways to reinforce ethnic pride.
Making Memories
Digital scrapbooking is the easy, new way to preserve your memories–and adoptive parents are leading the way!
Personal Essays
“Wait Gain“
After going through an excruciatingly difficult adoption wait, this mom offers her best tips for other parents who are facing the same thing.
“Girl on Fire“
When Laila came to our family through foster adoption, she had already decided her voice didn’t mean anything. It was our job to make her see that wasn’t true.
“Redefining Perfect“
When we announced our decision to adopt, people said we were throwing a wrench in our “perfect” family. But what makes a family perfect, anyway?
News
Russia Bans U.S. Families From Adopting
Adoption Tax Credit Made Permanent
Standards Set for Service Providers
Intercountry Adoption Continues to Decline
Growing Up Adopted
The Early Years: (Baby) Proof It!
Before the big day finally arrives, follow these easy childproofing tips to make your home ready for your new child.
Preschool: Early Talks About Race
Preschoolers–and their friends–are beginning to notice racial differences. Here’s how parents can talk about it.
Elementary: Intense Emotions
If your grade-schooler gets moody, you can help.
Middle & High School: Open Adoption and Teens
As teens seek independence, they rethink their relationships with all the adults in their lives–including birth parents.
The Experts
Claiming Your Role as a Parent
Our older child adoption expert explains why control shouldn’t be a dirty word when parenting your adopted child who has been hurt in the past.
Letting Your Open Adoption Evolve
Our adoption expert details the ups and downs of open adoption, and how to keep the relationship going — even when it’s hard.
Departments
ASK AF
- Tax Credit for Failed Adoptions
- Explaining International vs. Open Adoption
- Setting Boundaries with Birth Family
- Should We Hold a Big Adoption Party?
AF PICKS: Best New Books
Thank You to This Issue’s Sponsors:
America’s Christian Credit Union
American Embryo Registry
Dave Thomas Foundation
Gerber
Similac
Bethany Christian Services
Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital
Forever Families Through Adoption
Independent Adoption Center
Michael S. Goldstein, Adoption and Family Law
Adoption by Shepherd Care
Adoptions from the Heart
Adoptive Parents Committee
Children’s Connections Inc.
Cono Christian School
EAC
US Adopt
Valley Health System