Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Can We Claim Tax Credit for Failed Adoptions?
Failed adoptions can be both emotionally and financially taxing. Here’s what you need to know about claiming tax credit for a failed adoption.
Ask AF: How Do We Find Role Models Who Share Our Child’s Race?
We’re white and our son is black. I’m ashamed to admit that we do not have any black relatives or friends. Will it seem offensive and shallow if I try to befriend someone simply because they are black?
Ask AF: Feeling Left Out of a Birth Family
Our seven-year-old biological son seems to swing between feeling left out because his siblings (both adopted) have “other families” to feeling that they can’t be part of our family because they have “other” families.
Ask AF: Treating Eczema
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: My Child Is a Bully
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Sharing Negative Information
My nine-year-old daughter was adopted as an infant. She’s been asking me about her birth parents, so I searched. I was devastated by the information I found, and have no idea when and how to reveal the details. Her birth mother died from complications due to alcoholism; her birth father has done time in prison and is now AWOL.
Ask AF: When Mom Feels Hurt
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Honoring a Birth Mom’s Memory
Spurred, in part, by my daughter’s questions, I recently initiated a search for my six-year-old’s birth mother. I learned that her birth mother died a year ago. Do I need to tell my daughter now? If so, how?
Ask AF: Smoothing the Transition to College
We’re worried that our daughter, who had trouble with attachment, might struggle as she goes off to college. How can we support her during this time?
Ask AF: “Hands Off His Hair, Please”
My son is African American. When we’re out, people frequently approach us, and want to touch his hair. Most seem to be well-meaning, but is this ever OK? What can I say?
Ask AF: Telling Our Child We’re Adopting
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Upset About Mom’s Pregnancy
Q: We adopted our daughter from foster care at age 11. Two months ago, I found out I was pregnant. At first she was very excited, but now she huffs or changes the subject whenever it comes up. I’m sure she’s upset that she’ll have to share her room and her parents, but how can I prove that our love for her will remain the same?
Ask AF: When a Teen Wants to Know Both Birth Parents
Q: My 14-year-old knows her birth mother, but her birth father never wanted to be a part of her life, and is currently incarcerated. She wrote him a letter several months ago and didn’t get a response, and has been struggling with this. Her older brother has good relationships with both of his birth parents, which I believe makes it harder for her.
Ask AF: Comments on Beauty
An adoptive parent asks AF’s expert for help with how to respond when strangers make comments about her children’s appearances.
Ask AF: Affirming Belonging
An adoptive parent whose young child realized her skin color was different asks AF’s expert for help with talking about race and belonging in a blended family.
Ask AF: Should We Hold a Big Adoption Party?
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: How to Respond to Night Terrors
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Fear of Bath Time
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Discussing an Unsuccessful Placement
Answers to your parenting questions.