How to make sure your child feels good about being adopted.
“What If You Die, Mommy?” — And Other Hard Questions
Confronting your own fears is the first step toward helping your child deal with hers.
Keep the Adoption Conversation Going
Let your child know you are open to talking about her birth family.
Freeing Your Child To Feel
The child that doesn’t talk about adoption may have emotions that need to be explored.
Orphan Lit
From Anne of Green Gables to Harry Potter, orphans are a staple of children’s literature. Here’s how to help your child make sense of it all.
When Your Kid Clams Up
If your preteen is suddenly silent about adoption, look for “reachable” moments.
Did I Come From Your Tummy?
Preschoolers ask the darnedest questions, but don’t be afraid to answer them.
Ask AF: When Pets Need a New Home
Adoptive parents who have made the difficult decision that their pets need a new home worry about sharing this news with their children. Diana Schwab, M.Ed., LSW, suggests ways to explain.
Imaginary Birth Parents
Your child may never have met his first mom and dad. But that doesn’t mean he’s not spinning stories about them.
“In the Company of Heroes”
Janis Cooke Newman asks herself, “Am I overdoing this adoption thing?”
Ask AF: A New Line of Questioning
Recently, my 7-year-old has been asking me rather vague questions, such as, “Where am I?” or “Where do I belong?” I don’t want to attribute every element of his development to adoption — but could that be behind these questions?
Ask AF: Sudden Secrecy About Adoption
When your child reaches his preteen years, he may deny his adoption to fit in with peers. Ronny Diamond explains how parents can cope.
Ask AF: Relative Adoption
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Tailoring Talks to Understanding
If your child is developmentally delayed, you may wonder what adoption language is appropriate for him. Ronny Diamond answers.
Figuring Out Adoption
Preteens need a safe place to explore adoption questions.
Nature vs. Nurture
When we judge our children’s birth parents, we often judge our children.
Ask AF: Separation Anxiety?
Some adopted children may have some sort of separation anxiety, and need constant reassurance that you are indeed their “forever parents,” advises Joni Mantell, LCSW.