When presenting adoption to 10-year-olds, the teacher’s cooperation and your child’s involvement are key.
Has Adoption Come Up in your Child’s Classroom?
We asked AF readers to share their stories. Here’s what they said!
AF Asks: Tell Us About the First Moment With Your Child’s Birth Mother
Our Reader Panel responds.
“Family by Choice”
One adoptive mother describes her dad’s decision to make her legally his daughter by stepparent adoption, and how it influenced her understanding of family.
“Upon a Star”
The movie Pinocchio resonates in the heart of our adopted daughter, Emma.
“Falling in Love with Adoption”
Although my family’s story is a journey still in progress, I’ve discovered a way to feel complete.
“Three Little Words on My Adoption Day”
A decade of disappointing foster care placements made me doubt the two people who had taken me into their hearts.
“The Rocking Chair”
A white rocking chair helped us through many sleepless nights during the wait, and through many happy memories after we brought our son home.
“Our Foster Adoption Journey” — Six-Part Series
Real parents who navigated the Fost/Adopt system successfully write about their rewarding experience in this six-part series.
“When My Birth Mom Was an Astronaut”
I looked for my birth mother everywhere. For a little while, I found her on the Space Shuttle.
“Snowfall, and the Silence of Pregnancy”
I frequently found myself on the defensive while pregnant, afraid of what people might say and how they might judge me. I felt judged enough, being single and pregnant.
“Did You Ever Mind It?”: On Race and Adoption
I tell prospective adoptive parents to take a good, hard look at their social circles, their neighborhoods, their churches, their communities and think about how those places and spaces will look and feel to their child.
Parent-to-Parent: What’s In a Name?
On our Facebook page, we asked readers, How did you choose your child’s name? Did you have input from his birth family? Or did you keep her original name? Here’s what you said:
“Helping Our Tumbleweed Feel at Home”
How do you convince a child who’s lived in eight different homes to put down roots in yours?
“Open Adoption Converts”
Nowadays, I can’t imagine my family having come together any differently. But it wasn’t always that way.
“I Am Not My Face”
We’d been prepared to help our new daughter deal with stares and questions about her disfigurement. Instead, she taught us a powerful lesson in courage.
“Just Like Mrs. Bear”
With the right props and preparation, my adoption presentation to my son’s first-grade class went wonderfully. He was proud to be a part of it, and I was proud of him.
Is Your Child Resilient?
We asked, you answered! How adaptable is your child?
“A Boy Like Him”
From the moment we met 27 years ago, our son knew exactly what he wanted: a family. He staked his claim on our hearts as only he could.
“A Gift in the Mail”
Games of being found and reunion can comfort all children.