Open adoption expert Kathleen Silber answers a question from a mother who feels like her son prefers his birth mother since their reunion.
Ask AF: Adoption Leave
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Alleviating Sibling Rivalry
“Our three-year-old daughter still has not adjusted to our new son, two, who came home a few months ago. She was expecting a ‘baby,’ not someone who is already walking, talking, and taking attention away from her — and she’s been taking it out on him. Help!”
Ask AF: Building Relationships
Our toddler bonded very quickly with our immediate family, but she still refuses to allow anyone else to hold her, including our relatives. Is this normal for a two-year-old?
Ask AF: Contacting Birth Siblings
“Our 10-year-old daughter recently asked if she has any brothers or sisters. She does, but we don’t know how to start explaining.” Kathleen Silber offers advice.
Ask AF: A More Multicultural Neighborhood
Part of growing up is learning to understand race. Experts explain how living in a diverse neighborhood can help your child put together the puzzle.
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Ask AF: Telling Family About a Birth Child
Kathleen Silber answers a question from a woman who placed a birth child for adoption years ago, and wonders how and when to tell her family.
Ask AF: Telling Children About a Birth Child
A parent who placed a child for adoption wonders how to go about explaining a biological sibling to her current children. Adoption expert Brenda Romanchik answers.
Ask AF: When Is Cuddling Appropriate?
Your child might love hugs and cuddles to reinforce attachment. Diana Schwab, M.Ed., LSW, suggests other ways you can affirm your bond at those times when cuddling’s not appropriate.
Ask AF: Keeping Attachment Strong After Returning to Work
When returning to work becomes a necessity, some parents worry about maintaining their attachment with their newly adopted child. Holly van Gulden offers advice (and reassurance).
Ask AF: Children Separated by a Fost/Adopt
A mother wonders how much contact is best for her son and his biological siblings. Jayne Schooler weighs in.
Ask AF: Ending the Comparison
An adoptive parent asks about a birth mother continuously pointing out physical resemblances, and wonders how to smooth out an open adoption arrangement. Read Joyce Maguire Pavao, Ed.D.’s response.
Ask AF: An Invasive Assignment
An adoptive parent asks how to react to her middle schooler’s assignment to write a report about his birth. Adoption at school expert Lansing Wood offers guidance on speaking with the teacher.
Ask AF: Sibling Prep in a Domestic Adoption
Ronny Diamond discusses how to prepare your child for a second domestic adoption and the idea of a baby sibling.