When my daughter Hope started kindergarten at her progressive school here in diverse New York City, we were both taken by surprise by the persistent, direct adoption questions she faced from classmates, questions that adults would be reluctant to pose.
Adopted and Black in Middle America
Michelle Johnson, 38, adopted by white parents and raised in suburban Minneapolis, recently spoke with AF about her experiences.
Creating a History for Your Teen During Infancy
What we record now about our child will help him or her later in the difficult teen task of forging a positive identity.
The Joy of Giving Back
Many of us start out thinking we are simply adding a child to our life. But for the families featured here, the immeasurable joy they found through adoption inspired them to serve needs even greater than their own.
Bringing Up Adoption at School
Advice for parents from parents on how to navigate explaining adoption to the classroom during back to school season, and beyond!
Ask AF: Child Wishes She Had an Open Adoption
“My daughter, who was adopted internationally, has been saying she wishes she got to see her birth mother, like her close friend who has a very open adoption. What can I say to her?”
Conscience Development in Preschoolers
Many children in foster care have delays in conscience development. A few have no conscience. It is important that parents understand conscience development and identify ways to facilitate growth in this area.
Ask AF: When Children Face Adoption Questions and Stigma at School
“After my daughter told classmates that she was adopted, they responded that they ‘feel sorry’ for her. What can I do to help?”
Book Excerpt: The English American
Born in America, raised in England, and meeting her birth mother for the first time.
The Birth Parent Perspective: Stats and Chart
A study, the Early Growth and Development Study, is shedding light on open adoption attitudes and outcomes. Here are some basic findings, as well as AF poll results on families’ open adoption experiences.
“Adoption Is Not Second Best”
Near-strangers feel compelled to tell me about friends who got pregnant after adopting and say, “There’s still hope….” But I don’t hope for a biological child; I hope for a healthy relationship with my two kids.
Parent-to-Parent: What Does a Family Want to Hear While Waiting to Adopt?
Waiting to adopt is hard, especially when the wait stretches on for years. Real parents share the words that comforted them and got them through their waits.
“The Wrong Kind of Asian”
I have confused and disappointed many people in my lifetime because I don’t look or behave the way they think an Asian ought to look or behave.
Ask AF: My Child Was Told by Peers That She’s “Not Really Chinese”
A parent reaches out for help after taunting at school left her daughter feeling shaken to the core and that she doesn’t belong anywhere. An adult adoptee and transracial adoption expert offers advice.
New Brief: Chinese Birth Parent Search Manual to Be Released
Two adult adoptees are working on the first edition of a Chinese Birth Parent Search Manual, to be released at the end of 2016.
Parent-to-Parent: Talking with the Teacher About Adoption
Parents weigh in on talking with their child’s teacher and sharing resources at the start of a new school year.
“Sweet Sand”
After a late-summer day at the beach led to wistful new questions, this mom learned that talking about adoption with her child isn’t always straightforward.
“Bonding with My Teen in the Baby Department”
My daughter came to me at nine years old, so neither of us knows what she looked like as a baby, but walking these aisles is a way for us to recreate what we both lost.
Listen to the Children
A callous foster care system deprived her of parents and siblings and gave precious little in return.
Ask AF: Explaining Very Difficult Details
“How do we disclose a lifelong medical condition to our child, and talk with her about lacking any information about her birth parents?”