Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Talking About and Getting to Know Birth Siblings
My 11-year-old has two younger birth siblings who were adopted by another family. That family recently moved into our community. My son often asks if he has siblings. I have not told him yes or no yet, and now it’s so late.
Ask AF: New Sibling Jealousy
Answers to your parenting questions.
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: 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: Talking About a Birth Parent’s Death
Our expert explains how to navigate the difficult discussions about a birth mother death with a very young child: what to say, and when to start talking.
Parenting an Older Child Through the Testing Phase
Our readers asked how to parent their adoptive children through the testing phase. Our expert has answers for dealing with lying, carelessness, and anger.
Ask AF: Explaining Foster Care
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: No Longer the Only Boy
Answers to your parenting questions.
What I Wish I Had Known
After the initial adjustment stages, parents who adopt older kids often say, “Why didn’t someone tell me that?” Here are eight of the lessons families I’ve worked with over the past 25 years have learned.
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