When my daughter’s anxieties took on a surprising intensity after big life changes, I taught her a special technique for managing worries.
“Growing Pains”
After the loss of my father, I’ve found myself — an only child and a single mom — in the middle of a new family circle.
Making Blended Families Work
Blended families flourish when they recognize their differences and celebrate their choices, says this father of two.
“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.
“My Mother’s Ring”
This heirloom bridges the past with the future, connecting my daughter to our family in profound, unexpected ways.
Birth Parent Fantasies — and Fears
An adopted child may imagine life with her birth parents as “the road not taken.” Parents should share what they know and support exploration.
“Becoming His Sister’s Guiding Light”
One year after adopting an infant girl, we adopted a “special needs” child with a cleft lip and palate. Ever since his sister was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, he’s become her guiding light.
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?
“Pushing Past My Fears to Become a Single Mother”
A recent “adventure vacation” I took with my daughter brought back memories of the scariest leap of all — becoming a single mom.
“In the Beginning” — Part 1 of Foster Adoption Series
In part one of our family’s adoption odyssey, we make our way through our state’s Fost/Adopt program and find that things don’t always go according to plan. But sometimes, that’s for the best.
“The Therapeutic Value of Playing Our Adoption Game”
My daughter was two when I first met her at the orphanage in Russia. I knew nothing about the first years of her life, and she has no conscious memories of that time—but an elaborate fantasy life that she cultivated gave me a glimpse into how she may have experienced her early years.
When Things Change
Life’s transitions can be hard on children. Here’s how to help your child develop his own ways to cope.
A Family Identity
A family value statement can build strong bonds and see you through both good times and bad.
Learning from Those Who Have Gone Before You
How to find an adoption support group that suits your family.
[Book Excerpt] No Biking in the House Without a Helmet
Melissa Fay Greene flawlessly captures the journey of building a family through adoption in this heartwarming memoir.
Understanding Your Child’s Temperament
Can a family with a mix of temperaments get along? Here’s smart advice for achieving maximum harmony.
Preparing Your Child for a Sibling
Adding a family member is always a joyful event. Here’s how to make the transition.
Helping Your Child Cope with Divorce
A child may exhibit “baby” behaviors when his parents divorce.
Ask AF: Telling Children About a Birth Child
A parent who placed a child for adoption wonders how to go about explaining a biological sibling to her current children. Adoption expert Brenda Romanchik answers.
Feeling Like Part of the Extended Family
The more you involve the grandparents (and aunts, uncles, and cousins, too) in you adoption process, the more your child feels like part of the clan.