Many parents are putting their adoption stories in writing. Whether you publish or not, here’s how to create a moving, quality memoir.
Primer for Talking About Race and Racism
Racism exists, and it’s our job as parents to talk about it with our kids. Start with this glossary of important terms.
“Santa’s Dilemma”
This year, we’ve vowed to cut back at Christmas. Well, perhaps it wasn’t a vow, but at least a serious intent to try. Then again, they are children for such a short time.
“What ‘Gotcha’ Means to My Family”
While I acknowledge that the word carries only a hint of the day’s complicated meaning, to me, “Gotcha” says it all.
Answering Kids’ Big Questions About Birth Parents
Between the ages of six and eight, children begin to ask more sophisticated questions about adoption. Here are some ways to respond.
Race Matters at Pact Camp
A summer heritage camp that’s all about helping transracial families.
Book Review: I Love You Like Crazy Cakes
A seven-year-old adoptee from China shares her thoughts on an illustrated children’s book about adoption.
“How We Created My Son’s Unique Family Tree”
The family tree project can be a particularly tricky one for kids who are adopted. Here’s how one family tackled the assignment.
“What Do I Tell My Teen About His Birth Father?”
Your teen will want to know more about his birth father—and his birth parents’ relationship.
Talking to Teens Who Don’t Want to Talk to You
It’s important to look for those natural, easy times when personal, tender issues can be touched upon.
Summer Heritage Guide: If You Have a Weekend or Less
Great heritage ideas that dont require plane ticketsor even a full tank of gas.
Adoption Through a Child’s Eyes
By tuning in to what children understand about adoption at different ages, our talks become richer, more intimate, and ultimately more effective.
How Preteens Can Answer Prying Questions at School
How to help your middle schooler cope with curious peers.
“Why Was I Adopted”
Your preschooler may hit you with surprising questions at the most unexpected times and places!
Capturing Our Favorite Family Photographs
We asked readers about your most treasured photos from your trips to the hospital or country where your children were born. Here are some of the most meaningful scenes and stories you shared from your adoption journeys.
Ask AF: Explaining Adoption to Other Kids
How can our close friends explain our domestic adoption of a five-year-old to their young children, ages three to six?
Ask AF: The Home Study Report and Family Difficulties
I’m worried that my lack of a relationship with any family members will negatively affect our impending home study report.
Questions About Being “Given Up”
Our seven-year-old daughter knows her adoption story, but, lately, she’s been asking a lot of questions about why she was ‘given up.’
Ask AF: An Unknown Birth Father
Our daughter’s birth mother says she has no idea who the birth father is. We don’t know his first name or even the color of his hair.
Ask AF: Explaining Kinship Adoption
My younger daughter adopted her sister’s child. My granddaughter’s now eight, and knows that she was adopted, but she doesn’t know that her “Auntie” is her birth mother.