Our children rely on us to guide them through saying goodbye.
Solutions for Picky Eaters
Food fights are frustrating battles for parents. Whether your child arrives home as a young infant or has spent years waiting for a family, you should expect food to present some challenges. In some cases, eating habits may be set in foster or institutional care, but in many cases, they are a normal part of childhood development. Here’s an overview of the problems with picky eating, and how to respond.
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.
“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.
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?
Making Memories
Digital scrapbooking is the easy, new way to preserve your memories–and adoptive parents are leading the way!
Listen Up!
Does your preschooler have a speech or language delay? Here’s how to find out — and get help.
Ask AF: Feeling Left Out of a Birth Family
Our seven-year-old biological son seems to swing between feeling left out because his siblings (both adopted) have “other families” to feeling that they can’t be part of our family because they have “other” families.
If Your Teen Is Gay
Bruce had been a cheerful, outgoing child who had many friends. But when he turned 15, his parents noticed a change in him. He seemed more withdrawn and less gregarious. One day, when Bruce and his mother, Karen, were driving home from school, he seemed particularly down. When Karen asked him what was wrong, he said, “I’m not who you think I am.”
Adoptees and the Seven Core Issues of Adoption
Adopted persons tend to experience seven core issues related to their adoption. Discussions of adoption over the years have often overlooked the pain and struggles of adoptees, but identifying these core issues and helping children integrate them as they grow validates their experiences, decreasing feelings of being different and isolated.
Preteen Summer Reads with Adoption Themes
Encourage discussion — and a lifelong love for reading — with these adoption-themed books.
Birth Parents on Their Minds
Your teen probably spends a lot of time thinking (or fantasizing) about her birth mother. Here’s how to get some of those thoughts out in the open.
Helping Your Child with Peer Exclusion
Parents cannot prevent their child from experiencing exclusion or feeling “different” from time to time. You can, however, lessen the negative effects of this common occurrence during the preteen years.
Having Just One?
Only children sometimes get a bad rap. But most grow up to be just fine.
Easy Does It!
Even preschoolers can get stressed by holidays. A few simple games and activities can ward off the meltdowns.
Ask AF: Treating Eczema
Answers to your parenting questions.
Learning and Language Difficulties
Language difficulties affect children from all backgrounds and walks of life. Here’s what to look out for.
The Tales They Tell
Preschoolers love stories. Listen carefully and you might learn a thing or two.