Once, I grieved the loss of a biological child. Nineteen years later, as I watch my son leap and soar (literally) into adulthood, I am at peace with my role of nurturing the many gifts built into his nature.
Ask AF: Reconciling Different Personalities in Adoption
A mother finds herself exhausted trying to keep up with the boisterous, outgoing older child she’s adopting, and also worries that the girl might start feeling “different” from the rest of the family (who are all naturally more reserved and quiet). An expert offers advice.
“Life of the Party”
Adoption kismet paired my moody, socially awkward self with an upbeat, sociable son who volunteers to wear his school mascot costume, runs for student council, and is unfazed by the thought of speaking in front of his whole school. Every day I am awed (and exhausted).
Parent-to-Parent: “Your Child Looks Just Like You!”
We asked our readers how they respond when someone comments that their child “looks just like” them. Read the answers.
Parent-to-Parent: Like Birth Mother, Like Child
We asked our readers: What talent or trait do you see in your child that must be from his or her birth family? Read the answers from adoptive parents.
“Thankfully, My Son’s Personality Didn’t Come from Me”
When people have kids, they are often hoping their child will be just like them. In our case, we’re happy our son has beautiful characteristics that are all his own.
“We Are All Adopted”
From my own search for my roots through adopting older children from foster care, life has taught me to treasure my children’s biological connections while knowing that we don’t have to look alike to belong together.
“My Child, Myself”
What do we teach our children, and what are the born knowing?
“Loving My Children’s ‘Ingredients'” – Nature vs. Nurture
Parenting children with different DNA opened up new worlds for me. Loving who they are means parenting their DNA and not my own agenda.
Summer Reading Special
AF’s 2011 picks for best adoption books.
“What Will This Baby Be Like?”
A mother shares the “new, unexpected, and amazing” attributes of her adopted son, of which no one talked about at the start of their adoption journey.
“Music in His Genes”
My son craves the comfort of music the way other kids his age rely on their blankets.