Reader: Any advice on how to introduce my 27-year-old birth son to my 6 & 2-year-old that have never been told that I placed a child for adoption? Adoption Coach:Dear Reader: Thank you for your question. I’m sure you are anticipating the meeting, and I applaud you for carefully considering the best way to go…
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Reader: Open adoption or private adoption? New to this site with regard to my daughter who is only 15. She has decided to put her baby up for adoption due to the circumstances and because she is only 15… so many questions! Dear Reader: First, if possible, I recommend finding an independent counselor (not one…
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Reader: I’m in the process of adopting my cousin whom I have had since he was 3 and is now 7. Next week if all goes as planned I will be adopting him. I told his teacher that I could come in and bring a treat to celebrate his “name change” do you have any…
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Reader: With school getting ready to start, should I tell my child’s teacher that my child was adopted? Adoption Coach:Dear Reader: This is a question I’ve had myself a few years ago when one of my children started preschool, and I believe it’s a very common concern among adoptive parents. My friends who are fellow…
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Reader: I’m starting to get lots of questions from my son, just in our evening conversation. I want to answer everything right, not answer more than he asks, and make it feel natural—but it breaks my heart. Are there wrong or right answers, or things to stay away from? Adoption Coach: Dear Reader: Thank you…
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Reader: My husband and I adopted our 6 year old son from Ethiopia. He came home at 14 months. At age 3.5 he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). He is bright, but not yet at the point of understanding that all babies grow in tummies, let alone that…
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Reader: I am looking for a good kids book to help my biological child age 9 understand the adoption of his younger sister. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Adoption Coach:Dear Reader: Congrats on adding to your family through adoption! You are wise to carefully consider your son’s feelings and adoption education. First, be prepared to…
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Reader: I have an issue I would like some advice if possible. We are foster parents and have been for almost 14 years. We adopted our daughter at age 7 she came to us at age 4. We were open to a semi-open adoption and were giving bio mom pictures and emails, but this woman…
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Reader: I have a question that although unpleasant I would appreciate some input. As a mother in the process of an adoption, and as the wife of an adopted person, (who’s biological sister passed away recently) we have had to discuss this. Is it okay, or helpful, or just plain wrong to ever include info…
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I am looking for some advice/input from other adoptive parents and birth parents on an unusual situation I have found myself in. My daughter’s birth parents live in the same town that we do. She is seventeen months old, and was a month old when we adopted her through the local foster system. We have…
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Reader: We are going to be meeting our son’s birth family for the first time since he was born 3 years ago. We have kept in contact via e-mail. Any suggestions for us? Adoption Coach: Dear Reader:Thank you for your question! What an exciting time for your family! Certainly, you are feeling a range of…
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Reader: My Husband and I are adopting a baby who will be born the beginning of April, we want to be present for the birth of the baby. We are in Illinois and the birth Mom is in Florida, our problem is trying to figure out what to do if she should go in labor…
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Reader: I have a question. We are considering adopting a friend’s baby who is currently in care. Social services are understandably concerned about the level of contact with the birth family as we both attend the same church and we would see them at least once a week which is far in excess of the…
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Reader: I have a question about these kinds of scenarios. Are we as potential adoptive parents made aware of the fact that the birthmom continued to drink while pregnant? Is information like that made available or only if the birthmom is willing to divulge it? How can we know? Adoption Coach:Dear Reader: Thank you for…
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Ask the Adoption Coach: Approaching Your Child’s Birth Mother About Prenatal Exposure to Substances Reader: My 9-year-old child is having difficulties, including ADD and anger issues. I’m all over it — seeing specialists and starting therapy. I was told he tested positive for marijuana at birth, which led to him being removed and, thank God,…
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