A decade of disappointing foster care placements made me doubt the two people who had taken me into their hearts.
“Our Foster Adoption Journey” — Six-Part Series
Real parents who navigated the Fost/Adopt system successfully write about their rewarding experience in this six-part series.
When Parents Adopt Out of Birth Order
Many experts say that out of birth order adoption is a bad idea. Yet, there are many ways to make it work for your family.
Parent-to-Parent: What’s In a Name?
On our Facebook page, we asked readers, How did you choose your child’s name? Did you have input from his birth family? Or did you keep her original name? Here’s what you said:
Is Your Child Resilient?
We asked, you answered! How adaptable is your child?
Is This Really Parenthood?
Your new baby is home and things are just great…right?
“Knowing Me As Mom”
Before we adopted her, Grace had never called anyone Mom or Dad. But she understood the concept of family with a wisdom beyond her years.
Readers Share: Post Adoption Depression
It happened to me… (Share your story below!) When our daughter was about one year old, the euphoria of being a mother began to wear off, and I understood, for the first time, how difficult the loss was for our daughters birthmother. I felt very guilty and sad when I thought about…
Is Sibling Rivalry Another Name for Love?
In these three blended families, love and conflict are all part of the package.
“An Imperfect Family” – Remembering My Brother Through Foster Adoption
My family couldn’t give Darrell the storybook life we’d all have liked. But with us, he learned to embrace the joy in life.
Ask AF: No Longer the Only Boy
Answers to your parenting questions.
Preparing Siblings for an Older-Child Adoption
We’ve decided to adopt an older child. We have two children now, and we’re wondering how best to integrate our new child into the family. What’s your advice?
“Too Soon for a Family Vacation”: Older Child Adjustment
What we should have known before we took our newly adopted 13-year-old on a surprise Disney World vacation.
[Book Review] Ten Days and Nine Nights: An Adoption Story
Roberta Rosenberg reviews Ten Days and Nine Nights: An Adoption Story, by Yumi Heo, a children’s book about a child waiting for her new sibling’s arrival.
Overcoming Older Child Anxiety
We recently adopted a five-year-old. She seems so fearful and anxious! How can we help her learn to trust and love us?
“Missing My Mom as I Became a Mother”
After I lost my mother, parenting seemed too difficult to face. But her faith in me gave me the strength to push through.
“When Relatives Never Get Adoption”
Two AF readers open up about the painful and rarely talked-about experience of dealing with a relative who never gets on board.
“Finally — Finalization!” — Part 6 of Foster Adoption Series
In part six of our adoption odyssey, Angie and Alexandra become our children in the eyes of the law. In our hearts, that had happened months ago.
“Balancing Act” — Part 5 of Foster Adoption Series
In part five of our family’s adoption odyssey, we begin the tug-of-war also known as parenting a teenager.
“A New Family Dynamic” — Part 2 of Foster Adoption Series
In the second part of our family’s adoption odyssey, we meet our new daughters and confront their past — and look to our future together.