In this personal essay, one woman compares her adoptive motherhood with what her daughter will experience after pregnancy, and her quest to find answers.
Parenting Strategies for Blended Families
When your family includes biological and adopted children, how do you make sure everyone feels included?
Do We Stop at Just One?
Wondering whether to raise an only child? Half of all adoptive families do. How they thrive, despite occasional (or frequent!) second thoughts.
“No Longer Hoping for a Miracle Pregnancy”
An imminent hysterectomy is helping me realize that I no longer want to become pregnant — I only want to be the best mother I can be to my children, who came to me through adoption.
The Sibling Connection
Sure, they bicker, they fight, they tease each other mercilessly. But they’re also creating vital relationships that will last a lifetime.
“Loving My Children’s ‘Ingredients'” – Nature vs. Nurture
Parenting children with different DNA opened up new worlds for me. Loving who they are means parenting their DNA and not my own agenda.
Growing Up and Growing Older
“What do teens, who are moving toward college or career, need from their parents?” I asked my 17-year-old high school senior, as I sat hunkered over my laptop.
[Book Review] Kinda Like Brothers
Coe Booth’s young adult novel, Kinda Like Brothers, tells a story of foster sibling rivalry.
Ask AF: Sibling Adjustment
Our 16-month-old has been home for about a month now, and our three-year-old (who was also adopted) still sees his little brother as Public Enemy #1. Will this get better? What should we do?
[Book Review] The Year She Left Us
Kathryn Ma’s ambitious debut novel about a Chinese girl adopted by a Chinese-American family tackles race, identity, and “luck.”
[Book Review] Little Cub
An AF reader briefly reviews Little Cub, a children’s book with adoption themes.
The Family Picture
Grade-schoolers need to know how they connect with their adoptive families.
AF Picks: Best Adoption Blogs
We scoured the blogosphere for the most funny, heartwarming, honest online reads. Our congratulations to these 18 outstanding picks!
Summer Reading Special
AF’s 2011 picks for best adoption books.
Paradoxes of Adoptive Parenting
After writing Secret Thoughts of an Adoptive Mother, Jana Wolff returns with more candid insights into the emotional highs and lows of parenthood.
Relating to Relatives
There’s much parents can do to help their teens feel they belong within the larger family network.
Telling Your Family’s Story
Sure, celebrations and rituals are important to have in adoptive families, but so are ways to preserve and keep these memories alive.
“Dear Mom of an Adopted Child”
I knew you right away. I recognize the fierce determination. You are the kind of woman who Makes.Things.Happen. After all, you made this happen, this family you have.
Ask AF: New Sibling Jealousy
Answers to your parenting questions.
“Redefining Perfect”
After giving birth to a boy and a girl, I had what other people defined as a “million dollar family.” A few years later, family and friends questioned our decision to adopt two older children, out of birth order, when we had the “perfect” family.