Answers to your parenting questions.
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.
Ask AF: Introducing Boundaries
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: What’s the Big Secret?
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Tweens and Teasing
My middle schoolers often get teased about the way they look or the fact that they were adopted. What can they say to the teasers?
[Book Review] Wild About You!
Judy Sierra’s fun and heartwarming book is perfect for bridging the topic of adoption with young children.
What If? Imagining Life in a Different Family
Sleepovers and play dates give our kids an intimate glimpse of life in a different family — and may prompt reflections and questions.
Adoption Support Groups for Teens
An adoption support group can provide a safe and comfortable venue for your teen to explore adoption and his larger identity in a new, more complex way.
Bonding While You Work
Adoptive Families readers received, on average, 9.6 weeks of leave from work. Here’s how to make an informed childcare decision, and keep the transition from disrupting your bond.
Connecting with Other Adoptees
As they progress through grade school, most children want to “blend in” and be part of the crowd. But what if a child feels that the way she joined her family–through adoption–sets her apart?
The Games They Play
Along with tea parties and superheroes, our children may incorporate themes like birth and adoption into their play.
What’s Happening to My Body?
How can you help your child deal with the physical and emotional changes that puberty brings?
Standing Up to Bullies
How can you respond to bullying or protect your teen from becoming a target?
For Adoptive Parents: Helping Adopted Teenagers Stand on Their Own
In the middle-school years, parents must step back and help their child learn to stand up for herself, in school and in the larger world.
How to Get Your School on Board
Help get your school ready for your child.
Supporting Your Child Through Grief
Our children rely on us to guide them through saying goodbye.
Establishing a Sleep Routine
All parents long for a peaceful bedtime routine: Read your child a story, kiss her goodnight, and don’t see her again until morning. If you understand how children learn to sleep all night, you can help your child manage her sleep and security needs, as you promote her attachment to you.
Helping Your Child Who’s In a Funk
When Janice and Paul’s daughter turned 7, they breathed a sigh of relief. Last year Emily’s favorite word was “no,” and she talked back constantly. Alas, now she seemed worried and sad. She felt that no one liked her at school, that the other kids thought she was weird.
Myths About Teens
In a quandary over what’s normal — and what’s not — about your teen? Here’s what you should know.
Mortifying Moms
You used to be the coolest mom on the block–at least in the mind of your kid. Now she rolls her eyes at everything you do. What’s up?