This heirloom bridges the past with the future, connecting my daughter to our family in profound, unexpected ways.
Single Parents: Balancing Work, Fun, and Family
How can single parents find the time to get everything done without feeling overwhelmed?
Answering The Daddy Question
When children ask about a “missing spouse,” how should single parents answer?
Creating a Support Network
I just came home with my new baby and I’m already feeling overwhelmed. How am I supposed to do all of this by myself?
“Pushing Past My Fears to Become a Single Mother”
A recent “adventure vacation” I took with my daughter brought back memories of the scariest leap of all — becoming a single mom.
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?
“The Therapeutic Value of Playing Our Adoption Game”
My daughter was two when I first met her at the orphanage in Russia. I knew nothing about the first years of her life, and she has no conscious memories of that time—but an elaborate fantasy life that she cultivated gave me a glimpse into how she may have experienced her early years.
“Helpless Love”
There is an irrevocable moment when you become a parent, an instant when the idea of your child enters your heart forever.
“Old Bones”
I’ve reached a point in life where both my young daughter and my aging mother depend on me. Can I afford to be fragile?
Adopting on Your Own the Second — or Third — Time Around
Double the pleasure—or double trouble?
Learning from Those Who Have Gone Before You
How to find an adoption support group that suits your family.
Making a Life for Two
Looking back at her sometimes difficult transition to family life, a mom describes learning to take care of herself as well as her daughter.
“Until the Real Thing Comes Along”
After adopting in mid-life, I found I welcomed the role of single parent. Perhaps this is because I can deal only with one big relationship at a time, and my daughter takes up all the room.
“Our Dog Helped My Daughter Realize Family Is Forever”
Hugging our new dog, my daughter learns that no matter what the behavior, our family is forever.
“How Do I Manage as a Single Mother?”
Yes, solo parenting is hard work. But the freedom is good, too.
Ask AF: A Fantasy Father
Ronny Diamond discusses fantasy play in adopted children. In this case, a single mother worries about the imaginary “father” her daughter talks about.
New Family Values
As more singles and gay and lesbian couples are becoming parents by way of adoption, their children may face questions from their schoolmates or tough class projects. Here’s how families thrive.
“Changing My Name to Mom”
As she prepares for the adoption of her third child, the author knows it is not just she who must be ready, but also the 9-year-old girl she’s fallen in love with.