Many, many couples are deeply divided about adoption. Marriage counselors and social workers say the reluctant partner is usually the male, whose concerns may range from simple ambivalence about parenthood in general to specific concerns about loving a child who’s not related by blood.
View the Adoption Costs Webinar Replay
View the replay of the webinar “Adoption Costs,” with Denise M. Bierly, Esq., and Sue Orban to learn about domestic, foster, and international adoption costs and funding strategies.
7 Common Questions When You’re Deciding to Adopt
When you bear or raise children, you step into the unknown. If you adopt, you take a step further. You can’t predict what baby would come from your own genetic mix, but you might recognize traits as the child grows up: “He’s got grandpa’s ears.” With an adopted child, there’s an element of mystery: “Where did that nose come from?”
The Top Ten Myths (and Facts) About Adoption
If you’re considering adoption and hearing falsehoods for family and friends, read on to get real adoption facts to debunk the fiction.
“Dear Mom of an Adopted Child”
I knew you right away. I recognize the fierce determination. You are the kind of woman who Makes.Things.Happen. After all, you made this happen, this family you have.
International vs. Domestic vs. Foster Adoption – Fast Facts
Is adoption for you? Explore your options here.
“Our Relationship with Our Child’s Birth Mother”
Getting to know our daughter’s birth mother was a tremendous blessing.
Interviewing Potential Birth Mothers
What to ask — and what not to ask — a potential birth mother in your first encounter.
Tips for Single Parent Adoption the Second Time Around
Looking to adopt again as a single parent? Here’s what you need to know.
The Name Game
Although a baby as young as seven months reacts when called by name, a name change isn’t a significant issue until age two.
The Choices We Make
Choosing age, race, and even gender is sometimes seen as the perk of adoption. Be careful not to attach expectations to these selections.
How We Decided
No one adoption route is right for every family. AF readers describe the thinking that went behind the route they chose.
“Becoming an Intended Parent”
Deciding on gestational surrogacy and navigating the complex process involves listening to your heart and your brain at the right times.
“Selecting My Egg Donor”
How do you choose the person you want to make babies with? Everyone has her priorities; these are mine.
The Big IF — Moving Past Infertility
Four writers look back at the roads they’ve traveled since wrestling with infertility.
The First Conversation with a Potential Birth Parent
What matters most is not a list of questions or negotiating points, but finding a way to meet genuinely as people.
“What We Couldn’t Learn Before Adopting”
My wife and I learned a lot from reading, but there were some things not discussed in the books we read. So from one father to another, from one parent to another, here’s my notebook of thoughts after our adoption.
Independent Domestic Adoption Cost Breakdown
The cost of adoption varies, but usually falls within a certain range.
Having Just One?
Only children sometimes get a bad rap. But most grow up to be just fine.
What to Ask Before Hiring an Adoption Attorney
Everything you need to ask before picking a legal professional to handle your adoption.