For many parents who adopted children internationally, a birth mother relationship is uncharted territory.
“Paying My Respects to My Son’s Birth Mother”
Our son came to us from foster care, in a closed adoption. So how did I find myself walking through the doors of a dark funeral home, preparing to introduce myself to his other family?
Are Adoptees Selfish For Wanting To Search?
Finding my birth family has never been an attempt to replace anyone else, but simply an effort to find myself, a desire my adoptive family understands.
Double The Love — Anaïs & Sam
A set of identical twins who were separated at birth and adopted by different families — not to be reunited until age 27.
Should We Contact our Son’s Birth Parents?
Adoptive Families asks advice on a reader’s behalf. Should we contact our son’s birth parents?
Searching for Birth Families
Parents who look for their child’s birth family abroad are ushering in a new openness in international adoption. Many say the decision to search requires careful thought.
“Our Canadian-Colombian Family Reunion”
After returning from a trip to my son’s birth country, my heart — and journal — was overflowing.
“Families Without Borders”
To honor their son Tristan’s birth family, a Canadian family initiated a long-distance relationship. Now, they’re taking him to Colombia to meet them.
“Getting to Meet Her Birth Mother”
A daughter — and her mother — look forward to a very special family reunion.
“The Birth Parent Reunion Roller Coaster”
After 26 years, I thought ‘happily ever after’ was about to begin.
“A Complicated Privilege”
Was hiring someone to search for our daughter’s Guatemalan birth mother the right thing to do? We decided we had no choice but to try to meet her.
Birth Parent Search in International Adoption
Adoptive parents around the globe are seeking their children’s first families — even before these children voice an opinion on the matter. But do we know what we’re doing?
“How Our Family Approached Our Birth Parent Search”
Three families describe their relationships with their children’s birth parents — deciding to keep in touch, searching for birth parents, and managing an already open adoption.
“They Remembered Me”
A Korean adoptee learns that human nature doesn’t always follow perceived “best practices.”
“Finding Her Birth Mother, A World Apart”
Opening our daughter’s international adoption has allowed her to ask questions and receive answers, brought her birth mother a sense of peace from knowing that her child is alive, well, and happy, and given us the unforgettable privilege of personally thanking our child’s birth mother.
“Visiting My Daughter’s Birth Mother”
Taking my daughter to visit her birth mother, I found that, while shared genes make them alike in some ways, it’s shared experiences that make us family.
[Book Review] A Long Way Home
An incredible true story that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
[Book Excerpt] Mamalita
Read a chapter of Jessica O’Dwyer’s adoption memoir Mamalita.
Ask AF: Contacting Birth Siblings
“Our 10-year-old daughter recently asked if she has any brothers or sisters. She does, but we don’t know how to start explaining.” Kathleen Silber offers advice.
Proceeding with Caution in Birth Family Search
Adoptive parents sometimes initiate birth parent searches before their children are emotionally prepared to deal with the results.