The tragic loss of our son’s birth mother was followed by a powerful new connection with his birth family.
Birth Parent Search in International Adoption
Adoptive parents around the globe are seeking their children’s first families — even before these children voice an opinion on the matter. But do we know what we’re doing?
Open Adoption Over the Years
Parents involved in open adoptions speak honestly about working through challenges and keeping the relationship going through life changes.
Breaking Bad News: “I Have Something to Tell You”
How do you break bad news about job loss, illness, or divorce to the birth parents in an open adoption relationship?
Open Adoption and the Family Tree Assignment
Your child was just assigned the family tree in school. What now?
When Holidays Don’t Measure Up
Holiday celebrations are supposed to be joyous, but they can be a minefield of mixed emotions.
Imagining Another Life
As adolescents become capable of abstract thinking, they begin to wonder about the family and the country left behind — and the road not taken.
“Open Adoption Works for Us”
From a rocky start, we’ve built a relationship with our children’s birth families that has enriched their lives, and ours.
A Bridge to Your Child’s Beginnings
In an excerpt from her book, Cindy Probst talks about why lifebooks, long treasured by foster adopters, make sense for all adoptive families.
When Your Child Has Birth Siblings
Parents who know that one child was placed for adoption while a sibling was not may wonder how to explain it in a way their child can understand.
[Book Review] A Long Way Home
An incredible true story that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Did I Come From Your Tummy?
Preschoolers ask the darnedest questions, but don’t be afraid to answer them.
The Fantasy Parent
Ever heard, “My real mother wouldn’t make me do that”? Don’t despair. All kids, adopted or not, conjure a fantasy parent from time to time.
Proceeding with Caution in Birth Family Search
Adoptive parents sometimes initiate birth parent searches before their children are emotionally prepared to deal with the results.
Contact with Birth Parents
We just brought our newborn home and are wondering how to communicate with his birth mother. How do we start?
Ask AF: Children Separated by a Fost/Adopt
A mother wonders how much contact is best for her son and his biological siblings. Jayne Schooler weighs in.
Nature vs. Nurture
When we judge our children’s birth parents, we often judge our children.
Ask AF: Uncomfortable Level of Contact with Birth Family
Answers to your parenting questions.
Did I Grow in Your Tummy?
Three-year-olds are fascinated by pregnancy and families. Here’s how to have a “tummy talk” with your adopted child.
The Good and Bad of Being “Chosen”
How to make sure your child feels good about being adopted.