When the first few weeks of parenthood were rocky, I found myself worrying: Did we adopt a child I’ll never be able to love?
Bonding with Your Baby
Whether you’re adopting a newborn or a toddler, learn how to enhance attachment at each developmental stage.
“Do I Love Him Yet?”
Before adopting an older child, I had never heard of post adoption depression. That’s why it never crossed my mind when I had trouble attaching to my son.
“Four Unforgettable Introductions”
One adoptive dad describes four introductions he’ll never forget— those first moments when he met each of his four children but wasn’t yet their father.
Easing the Post-Adoption Adjustment
We’re about to adopt a toddler. How can we ease his adjustment during our first weeks as a family?
“My Resilient Son”
Dr. Jane Aronson shares her own story of adopting a child with developmental delays and reflects on the healing powers of love and permanence.
“Instant Mom”
Nia Vardalos describes her first meeting with the preschooler she adopted from U.S. foster care.
Adoption Leave: Your Legal Rights
All about the Federal Family Medical and Leave Act: Who is eligible, what protections are provided, and how you can secure your leave.
25 Ways to Nurture Hurt Children
How do you nurture a child who repels nurturing? Start with these practical ideas.
“A Stocking Filled with Memories of our Foster Child”
We knew it was possible for the girl we were fostering to be reunited with her birth mother. But that didn’t make it hurt any less.
Establishing Sleep Patterns
Why can’t my new child sleep?
“Hand-Me-Downs: Growing Up in Foster Care”
People kept taking us, a threesome of foster kids, into their homes. But we never stuck.
To Have and to Hold: Attachment Parenting
AF looks at a hands-on parenting style that’s natural for our families.
What’s in a Name? For an Adopted Child, A Lot!
When a child joins a family with his own history, his own culture—his own name—parents may want to look beyond the pages of a baby names book.
“The Fierce Feelings of Motherhood”
In this personal essay, the author reflects on the surprising fierceness of feeling like a mom.
Back to Work?
New adoptive parents have special concerns when it comes to child-care choices. Here’s how to make an informed decision.
“How Do You Define Motherhood?”
To many people, sharing DNA and giving birth are the prerequisites to being a “real” mom. As my children’s mommy, I know better.
Parenting to Promote Attachment
What’s the best way to facilitate attachment with our newly adopted baby?
Establishing a Routine
When it comes to easing your baby’s transition to your home, consistency is key.
“What the Books Didn’t Tell Me”
When Christopher joined our family at age three, I had to set aside my tried and true parenting methods in favor of the sort of nurturing he’d never known.