“Last week, my teenage son told me that he was tired of having to explain himself wherever he goes. Why is this happening, and how can I help him?”
“A Mother’s Day Not About Me”
To the birth mother of my three children through adoption, wherever you are, I say thank you for allowing me to be their “other” mommy.
Nourishing Beyond Growth Charts
How to assess a newly adopted child’s nutritional status and get a malnourished child’s growth on track.
When Birth Moms Get the Blues
It may take some time for your child’s birth mother to work through her grief. But there are ways you can help.
“Presenting Adoption to My Fifth Grader’s Class”
Adoption presentations in first and second grade are easy. Then what?
Child-Created Lifebooks
Even if you’ve made a scrapbook or lifebook for your child, kids this age like to tell their own stories. Here’s how to help.
“Re-Celebrating My Daughter’s First Nine Birthdays”
My daughter’s tenth birthday was the first birthday party she’d ever had. Here’s how and why we decided to redo all the others.
“Simplifying My Life as a Single Parent”
As crazy as it sounds, the transition from being childless to becoming a parent has given me time I didn’t have before.
Feed Me! Formula Facts
Formulas, nutrition, and feeding — everything you need to know about filling your child’s tummy.
Adapting School Assignments
Some school assignments ask for details that make our kids feel uneasy. But you — and your child’s teacher — can help.
Ask AF: Insecure About a Sibling
We’re adopting a second child, and we worry that our daughter’s insecurity will lead her to compete with a new sibling. Any advice?
The Birth of Tradition
Family rituals take on new meaning when we adopt a baby.
Bonding with Your Baby
Whether you’re adopting a newborn or a toddler, learn how to enhance attachment at each developmental stage.
A Mother’s Day Ritual
A simple ceremony with flowers and candles helped my children celebrate their love for two mothers.
What Preschoolers Can Understand About Adoption
When your preschooler asks questions about adoption, use these age-appropriate answers that emphasize your family’s love.
Preparing for Questions About Adoption at School
Before first grade, parents need to teach kids how to respond to unwelcome comments about adoption at school.
The Great Back-to-School Kit
17 simple and effective ways to bring adoption into the classroom.
When Teens Find Birth Family Online
Got a Web-savvy teen on your hands? Here’s how to set safety guidelines for online birth family contact.
“A Mother Like Any Other”
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?