When our own fertility treatment finally failed, Michael said, “There will always be a part of us that wishes that we had met when were younger and could have had children naturally together.” At the time, I thought I would always feel that way…
“Becoming Parents Through Surrogacy”
Our path to family had its share of twists and turns. That was how we landed at Plan J, also known as becoming parents through Indian surrogacy.
Explaining Donor Conception in Assisted Reproduction
Experts offer advice on how to talk to your child about donor conception.
Webinar Replay – Adoption Paperwork
View the replay of the webinar “Adoption Paperwork, Explained,” with Ketiwe Boahene, to learn about all the documentation required for your adoption home study, why you need it, and how to obtain it.
Should I Adopt a Child with “Special Needs”?
Peg Studaker, supervisor of the Waiting International Child Program at Children’s Home Society and Family Services, in Minnesota, says: “Parenting children with special needs should be a family’s first choice. Adopting a special-needs child should never be a second choice because the family could not get the child they really wanted to parent.”
Choosing Which Age Group to Adopt
For lots of adoptive parents, the hardest part of the process is the “choice” — particularly what age they should adopt.
“Just Adopt”
When I was struggling with infertility, friends and family mistakenly said insensitive things. Now that I’m an adoptive parent, I’m more careful with my words.
Selecting Gender in Adoption
What prospective adoptive parents need to know if having a boy or a girl is important to them.
“I Needed This All Along”
Five years on: We have been “trying” for three years, and now are deep into the medical crapshoot of infertility treatment. Soon it becomes clear that we will never have our own biological children.
Deciding to Adopt After Infertility
There is only one good reason to adopt, just as there is only one good reason to bear a child: Your desire to be a parent is greater than your fear.
Deciding to Adopt with Reluctant Relatives
Many, many couples are deeply divided about adoption. Marriage counselors and social workers say the reluctant partner is usually the male, whose concerns may range from simple ambivalence about parenthood in general to specific concerns about loving a child who’s not related by blood.
The Basics: Which Type of Adoption Is Right for You?
Different agencies and attorneys specialize in different kinds of adoption, so you need to think about what kind of child—what age, what race—is right for you before you make any kind of commitment to an agency or attorney. You may also end up using a combination of partners, or you may choose to work independently.
7 Common Questions When You’re Deciding to Adopt
When you bear or raise children, you step into the unknown. If you adopt, you take a step further. You can’t predict what baby would come from your own genetic mix, but you might recognize traits as the child grows up: “He’s got grandpa’s ears.” With an adopted child, there’s an element of mystery: “Where did that nose come from?”
The Top Ten Myths (and Facts) About Adoption
If you’re considering adoption and hearing falsehoods for family and friends, read on to get real adoption facts to debunk the fiction.
International vs. Domestic vs. Foster Adoption – Fast Facts
Is adoption for you? Explore your options here.
Tips for Single Parent Adoption the Second Time Around
Looking to adopt again as a single parent? Here’s what you need to know.
The Choices We Make
Choosing age, race, and even gender is sometimes seen as the perk of adoption. Be careful not to attach expectations to these selections.
How We Decided
No one adoption route is right for every family. AF readers describe the thinking that went behind the route they chose.
“Becoming an Intended Parent”
Deciding on gestational surrogacy and navigating the complex process involves listening to your heart and your brain at the right times.
“Selecting My Egg Donor”
How do you choose the person you want to make babies with? Everyone has her priorities; these are mine.