“For Their Children”

Amy Rackear - October 3, 2018 - Real Adoption Stories, The Home Study, The Process

“For Their Children”

Amy Rackear - October 3, 2018 - Real Adoption Stories, The Home Study, The Process

Years ago, when my son and I were at the kitchen table, a work-related call interrupted our conversation. He said sadly, “Mom, you spend more time helping people have children than you do with your own.”

“Uncharted Territory”

Lisa Emmerich - December 19, 2017 - Preparing for Parenthood, Real Adoption Stories, Referrals & Matches, The Home Study, The Process

Sometimes, you go somewhere expecting it to be totally different, and it ends up seeming familiar. I had that feeling as I led a group of students on a trip to China—and then again, back home, as we met an expectant mother.

Parent-to-Parent: Preparing for the Adoption Home Study Visit

Editorial Team - November 16, 2016 - The Home Study, The Process

Real parents share how they prepared for the adoption home study visit with a social worker, offering helpful tips and some funny stories.

Baby Safety Tips

Joseph Greensher - July 27, 2016 - Bonding, Bonding & Child Care, Preparing for Parenthood, The Home Study, The Process

Take steps to babyproof your home now—before your baby is able to get into trouble.

Ask AF: Revealing Health Problems During a Home Study

Wright Walling - July 23, 2016 - Expert Q&A, The Home Study, The Process

My wife has ongoing health problems, but they are not debilitating. Will this be a factor in the home study?

Ask AF: Disclosing Criminal History in a Home Study

Wright Walling - July 22, 2016 - Expert Q&A, The Home Study, The Process

When I was a teenager, I was convicted of driving under the influence. It was a long time ago and I am long past those drinking days. Do I need to tell the social worker about it?

Ask AF: What is a Home Study?

Wright Walling - July 21, 2016 - Expert Q&A, The Home Study, The Process

I am thinking about adopting, but the idea of a home study makes me nervous. What is it, and do I need to be concerned?

Ask AF: The Home Study Report and Family Difficulties

Ronny Diamond - July 9, 2016 - Expert Q&A, The Home Study, The Process

I’m worried that my lack of a relationship with any family members will negatively affect our impending home study report.

“Pre-Parenthood: Surviving the Home Study”

Jeanne Marie Laskas - June 21, 2016 - Real Adoption Stories, The Home Study, The Process

It’s home study day and I’m not perfect yet.

Ask AF: Restrictions to Adoption

Kathy Brodsky - April 27, 2016 - Expert Q&A, The Home Study, The Process

Answers to your parenting questions.

Ask AF: Eligible to Adopt?

Editorial Team - April 17, 2016 - Expert Q&A, The Home Study, The Process

Answers to your parenting questions.

Ask AF: Prospective Parents’ Mental Health

Editorial Team - April 10, 2016 - Expert Q&A, The Home Study, The Process

Answers to your parenting questions.

Home Study Documentation

Susan Caughman and Isolde Motley - January 9, 2016 - The Home Study, The Process

The list of documents looks daunting; just take them one by one. You can make the process easier if you get the correct documents on the first try—nothing is more frustrating than having your home study held up because you have to chase yet another bit of paper.

Avoiding Home Study Problems

Isolde Motley and Susan Caughman - January 7, 2016 - The Home Study, The Process

If you have a medical, financial, or criminal record that you fear might result in an unfavorable home study, don’t wait to mention it.

Questions to Answer Before Your Home Study

Susan Caughman and Isolde Motley - January 6, 2016 - The Home Study, The Process

Your home study will not only assess your ability to parent a child through adoption, it will also help you understand more about adoption and parenting.

Home Study 101: Everything You Need to Prepare

Susan Caughman and Isolde Motley - January 5, 2016 - Adoption Parenting Essentials, The Home Study, The Process

A home study is a document that says you can be a parent. What does that mean?

“Motherhood in the Balance”

Emalee Gruss Gillis - January 3, 2016 - Real Adoption Stories, Referrals & Matches, The Home Study, The Process

I sat at the kitchen table, holding the phone receiver as I waited for Nancy, our social worker at the adoption agency, to come on the line. How could I tell her that I had just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

Parent-to-Parent: The Home Study

Editorial Team - November 30, 2015 - The Home Study, The Process

Every adoptive family must undergo a home study as part of the process. We asked readers to tell us about theirs and share their advice.

Webinar Replay – “Imagining Your Future Child”

Editorial Team - November 16, 2015 - Adopting, Decisions, Referrals & Matches, Resources, The Home Study, The Process, Webinars, Yours Free

View the replay of the webinar “Imagining Your Future Child,” with Lauren Jiang, LMSW, to learn how to decide on the age, racial identity, and medical history of the child you will be best equipped to adopt and parent.

Ask AF: Are Homestudies Transferable?

Vicki Peterson - November 1, 2015 - Expert Q&A, The Home Study, The Process

Answers to your parenting questions.