Stumped by your teen’s silences and questions? Here’s how to tackle them.
What Do Preteens Think About Adoption?
Before the moody teen years, pre-adolescence can present its own challenges for parents. How should you respond to tweens’ questions about adoption or initiate conversation with a preteen who doesn’t seem eager to talk?
Your Job as Consultant and Coach
By talking through possible actions and consequences, you can help your child develop decision-making and long-range thinking skills.
“One of the Missing Pieces”
When older children argue and act out, it’s often connected to events from their past. How could any child move through 14 foster placements unscathed? But last night, another clash, followed by a heart-to-heart, brought us one piece closer to feeling like a solid family.
3 Tasks for College-Bound Adoptees
“Going to college provides the time and distance for young adult adoptees to experiment with and sort out their own interests and self-expectations.”
Why Race Matters for Teens
Teens need their parents’ guidance in forming their racial identity.
“Is It Just a Phase?”
Teens may try on different identities as they seek to determine who they are.
Share Your Story: Adoption & School
We asked our readers: How did you decide whether to introduce the topic of adoption at your child’s school? What actions did you take, if any, to start explaining adoption to classmates or teachers? What advice do you have for other parents about how to best interact with your child’s teachers?
My Daughter, the Shoplifter
When children engage in petty theft, are they beginning a life of crime or just engaged in a naughty prank?
The Wrong Crowd?
An adolescent’s peers may tell you something about their inner life.
Journaling for Teens
Writing a journal is a great way to build a stronger sense of self.
Book Review: The Safe Baby
The Safe Baby is an easy-to-follow resource that will give busy parents — adoptive or otherwise — peace of mind.
Ask AF: Just Found Out That My Child Is Friends with His Birth Mother on Facebook
“I recently found out that my teen is friends with his birth mother on Facebook. I feel badly that I found this out by ‘snooping,’ but I am also shocked and upset that she didn’t try to contact us or the adoption agency first. What should we do?”
The Literal Child
In their “black and white” world, how do children handle the grays of adoption?
The “P” Word
How to survive an early fascination with the birds and the bees.
Helping Teens with Transitions
Avoid sit down lectures and look for teachable moments to get your teen to open up.
How to Talk About “Dad” in Single Mother Families
Single-parent homes are more common now, but kids still grapple with the daddy question.
Helping Preteens Build a Life Story
As preteens strive to define themselves, they must work adoption into the story.
When Teens Want to Search for Birth Parents
Part of how teens form identity is by finding ways they are alike and different from their family. They may want to search for their genetic relatives to figuring out who they are and how to emotionally put pieces in place.
Navigating the Teen Years, Part 2: Maintaining Your Emotional Connection
Teens don’t tend to talk with their friends about their feelings about being adopted, being teased, or other tough topics. But if you have a healthy, trusting relationship, they’ll open up to you. An adoption therapist advises on maintaining an empathic connection with your teen.