Many adoptive parents mistake talking about the culture or place their child is from is enough. Learn why talking about birth parents matters.
“Heart’s Desire”
My daughter—like my own mother—feels an almost primal pull toward the woman whose body she grew in.
“The Same, But Different”
When an adopted child gets most of your attention, it doesn’t mean you love your other child less.
“Losing Sleep”
As my daughter discovers the brave new world of sleepovers, she and I are both missing out on some shut-eye.
“My Daughter, My Best Friend”
Being a single parent to an only child means forsaking some friends—but gaining a best one.
“When I Grow Up”
My daughter’s daydreams about her future family may be a little offbeat. Works for me—as long as she always follows her heart.
“The Worry Box”
When my daughter’s anxieties took on a surprising intensity after big life changes, I taught her a special technique for managing worries.
“Emotional Armor”
I’d like to shield her from life’s unhappiness, but my daughter’s spirit needs to lead her.
“The View from Here”
As I see it now, my golden years are likely to be filled with pet doggies and boxed mac and cheese. And I can’t imagine anything better.
“When Did My Little Girl Grow Up?”
My daughter is still very much a little girl. But with every passing week, it’s getting frighteningly easier to imagine her teen years.
“Seizing the Day”
I might never have decided to adopt had I foreseen what was to come in other areas of my life. But when I imagine life without my daughter, I know there was no other choice.
“Fantasies of Family”
Sometimes a household of two can feel a bit small.
Different, Yet the Same
Playmates and mentors can help children find common ground.
Helping Your Child Sleep
Last month we asked: Have you discovered ways to make bedtime easier or to help your child sleep through the night?
“Our Conversations About Adoption”
When the TV broke down, the questions came up—hard ones.
“Here and Now, If Not Always”
My hope, as a single foster mother, is to provide at least a temporary period of calm in a stormy childhood.
Saying “No!” (Without Guilt)
Your preschooler pleads for things and refuses to listen. Why is it so hard to set limits?
“Understanding My Family’s Circles”
My traditional childhood dreams gave way to an unexpected, soul-filling reality.
“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.
“What an Embarrassment!”
As my daughter approaches the tween years, she’s becoming more aware of who she is and of how others see her — and me.