Adoption / Foster Care: Most Popular Articles

David Pelzer Quiz
How much do you know about David Pelzer, author of

Child Called "It"
A book review on the bestseller by Dave Pelzer, "A Child Called 'It'". David Pelzer endured child abuse from his mother and recorded the happenings in the pages of "A Child Called 'It'"

Gay Adoption Basics
Adoption information for those interested in gay adoption. More and more gay and lesbian families are looking to start families through adoption. Learn more about gay adoption.

Dave Pelzer
Dave Pelzer endured years of abuse and five different foster homes. But he grew up and become an accomplished author.

Famous Foster Kids
Did you know that many famous and successful people were once foster children? Find out who here!

Adoption Poems
Several poems relating to the topic of adoption. Adoption poems written while waiting for a referral, for finalization, or about closed adoption records. Find an adoption poem to use for an adoption announcement.

The Cost of Adoption
A break down of adoption cost by type of adoption. How much does a baby adoption cost? Learn the basics to adoption with this quick lesson in adoption costs.

All About Dave Pelzer
A page full of Dave Pelzer information and links to some book reviews on his work. Dave Pelzer endured child abuse from his mother.

Foster Care Basics
Foster care information on foster parenting, the needs of foster children and state profiles on foster care agencies. Also, find tips on foster parenting.

African American Hair Care
Learn how to care for African American hair. Simple black hair care tips and steps to caring for African American hair.

Adoption Information 101
Adoption information for newly adoptive parents bringing an adopted child home. Learn the pros and cons to domestic adoption and international adoption. Discover how much adoption costs and other important adoption information needs.

The Lost Boy
The sequel to the bestseller, "A Child Called 'It'", Dave Pelzer continues on with his story chronically his journey through the foster care system. A book review on this part of his riveting life story.

How Many Gay Parents?
How many children are being raised in a homosexual family? Gay adoption statistics.

African American Hair Error 3
Using the right products on African American hair is very important. African American hair needs special care.

Gay Adoption Issues
Gay couples looking to adopt face a number of challenges that married, heterosexual couples do not. Adoption laws in the United States remain a patchwork quilt when it comes to gay and lesbian adoption. It's important to know adoption law before contemplating a gay adoption.

What Is a Home Study?
What is an adoption home study? Why is it needed? What does an adoption home study include? Can I be better prepared for it?

Single Parent Adoption
More single woman are turning toward adoption as an option to bring children into their lives. Negative social stigma is just one of the challenges for those who choose single parent adoption.

Search Angel Listing
A listing of the About.com Adoption Search Angels. Adoption Search Angels help find members of family separated by adoption. Find a volunteer to help you with your adoption search.

Famous Adoptees Quiz
A fun quiz to test your knowledge of famous adoptees.

Should I Do Foster Care?
Points to ponder while deciding on whether or not to be a foster parent. Information about Foster Care.

Top Adoption Gifts
What would make a great adoption gift for someone who is an adoptive or foster parent? How about a birth parent? Try some of these ideas when needing the perfect adoption gift! Look for Mother's Day ideas here.

Gay Adoption Case Brief
Case brief on homosexuals and adoption in Florida. Is Florida's law unconstitutional? A look at Florida, gay adoptions, and adoption law.

Marilyn Monroe
Did you know that Marilyn Monroe is a famous foster child? Marilyn Monroe spent most of her childhood in foster care and orphanages.

Birthmother's Day Propaganda?
The Saturday before Mother's Day is Birth Mother's Day. A day created by a group of birth mother's.

adult adoption
Is it legal to adopt an adult? Who would choose such an option? How about foreign adults seeking to be adopted into the United States? Here are some reasons for an adult adoption and some reasons why some states are against them.

The Father Connection
The About.com Adoption forum share their thoughts on fathers and the importance of a father son relationship as well as a father daughter relationship. These are the words from forum members regarding birth, adoptive, and step fathers and their relationships.

Famous Foster Kids Quiz
A fun quiz to test your knowledge of famous foster kids.

Child Abuse Risk Factors
What are the common causes or risk factors of child abuse? Why would anyone abuse his/her own child? Learn of the different factors that may lead to the abuse of a child.

National Ban on Gay Fostering
How Many Children Would Be Displaced and How Much Money Lost if National Ban on Gay Foster Parents? Gay parenting myths, issues, and concerns.

What Is the Hague Convention?
What is the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption and how does it protect children? How does the Hague Convention affect the adoption process?

Ways to Help
If you are unable to do foster care at this time, what other ways can you help kids in care? We have 10 ideas for you that will help foster children.

Activities for Foster Children
Ideas for things to do to help keep your foster/adoptive children busy during breaks from school. These summer activities may save your sanity and give them something to do at the same time. Tips for foster/adoptive parents who need ideas for things to do.

How Many People Are Gay?
What percentage of people are gay in the United States today? Gay adoption information, issues, myths, and concerns.

Adoption Jewelry
Top adoption jewelry can be found on-line for quick adoption gifts. These items make wonderful adoption gifts for the holidays or National Adoption Month.

Foster Care Awareness Month
How to celebrate the month of May and Foster Care Awareness Month. National Foster Care Awareness Month celebrates foster families and the need for more foster families.

African American Hair Blues
Mahisha Dellinger, founder of Curls, gives basic steps to great looking African American Hair during the summer. Learn quick tips to healthy African American Hair.

Domestic Adoption Costs
The costs involved with a domestic adoptions.

5 Minute Bonding
Fast and easy activities to promote bonding between you and your foster or adopted child.

Is Foster Care for You?
Before jumping into foster care, most foster parents spend two or three years just thinking about it. Here are a few points to consider before making the final decision on whether or not to become foster parents.

Russia Changing Adoptions
Current problems with Russian adoptions fueled by the recent murders of adopted Russian children and changes in international adoption procedures. The Russian government is now rethinking the whole Russian adoption process and has temporarily shut down adoptions from American adoption agencies.

Domestic or International
Deciding between an international adoption or a domestic adoption is a big decision. What are the pros and cons of an international adoption?

Adoption Costs
A break down of adoption cost by type of adoption.

Foster Care Calendar
31 Days of activities to celebrate and honor foster parents during National Foster Care Awareness Month. Celebrate National Foster Care Awareness Month with a different activity each day of the month.

Can Gay People Foster?
Can Gay and Lesbians Become Foster Parents? More gay parenting myths, issues, and concerns.

Russian Murder Cases
There have been 12 cases of adopted children from Russia being murdered by their adoptive parents. Here are the quick facts on these chilling cases.

Gay Adoption FAQ's
Some frequently asked questions about gay adoptions. Gay adoption myths, issues, and concerns addressed.

Unnatural Lifestyle
Growing up in a homosexual family will ultimately cause problems for the child...right? Gay adoption issues and myths.

Teasing and Gay Parents
Children being teased by peers, is this a good reason for being against gay adoption? Gay adoption issues, myths, and concerns.

Mother's Day?
Which day to celebrate - Birth mother's Day or Mother's Day? Another birth mom shares her opinion.

Baby or Older Child Adoption
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a baby adoption versus an older child adoption. Is just not about the cute babies that are available for adoption, some prefer the older child adoption. Learn why.

Charlotte Ayanna
Former Miss Teen USA is an aAuthor and actress and a former foster child and adoptee.

Homosexuals and Molestation
When it comes to adoption and homosexuals, this question haunts many, but what are the facts? Gay adoption issues and myths addressed in a series of FAQ's.

Children Raised to Be Gay?
Is homosexuality nature or nurture issue? Gay parenting issues, myths, and concerns.

Interracial Adoptions
Is an interracial adoption for you and your family? What are some things to consider before making your final decision on an interracial adoption?

Unwed Fathers
Legal information and how-to's for fathers to preserve their parental rights to be either a part of the adoption process or parent their own child.

I-600A
Information on your first form to be filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service when starting your international adoption process.

Gay Foster Parents
How Many Foster Children Are Living with Lesbian or Gay Foster Parents? More gay parenting statistics.

A Mother's Love
Adoption Poem by Tom Fisher, adoptive parent. Adoption poems can be very healing for members of the adoption triad.

Passage
An adoption poem written by an adoptive father, Ron Schutt. Schutt has adopted children from the foster care system. Adoption poem "Passage" speaks about the trauma of moving children from home to home and how the children work to believe that they can now trust a new set of parents.

A Birth Mother's Story
The story of one birth mother making the most difficult decision of her life. Here she shares her struggles and emotions thta she went through, and still goes through as a birthmother in an open adoption situation.

Russian Adoption
A quick walk through on adopting from Russia. Russia's adoption requirements are laid out as well as information on needed paperwork.

Foster Care Subsidy
What are foster care subsidies? What does the money go for and where does it come from? How should a foster care subsidy be used?

Domestic Public Agency
A breakdown of the different costs associated with adoption.

Before You Choose Adoption
It seems when it comes to the subject of adoption, the discussion begins with more questions than answers. Let's list out the most common questions asked about adoption and pour over possible answers together. Hopefully this will aid you and your family on the journey towards adopting.

Adoption Laws by State
United States laws for the adoption of children by state. For an easier time finding the adoption law in your state, write down the description found below the link before clicking!

Challenges of Foster Care
I have stated that being a foster parent is challenging but have neglected to really outline how it is challenging. I have started a list on how foster parenting can be challenging to aid others in making the decision on whether to be a foster parent or not.

Gay Adoption News
Gay adoption news articles related to gay adoption and gay foster care issues.

Skin Conditions
Skin care conditions and issues to be aware of when fostering or adopting children of other races. Read about black and Asian skin care. These are important issues within interracial adoptions and foster care.

Eddie Murphy
Comedian and actor, Eddie Murphy spent one year in foster care while his mother was recovering from an illness.

Adoption an Option?
What are the reasons for and against placing a child for adoption? What are the pros and cons to adoption? Are there resources available to help an expectant mother parent her own child? Things to think about for both the expectant/unwed mother and expectant/unwed father.

Ponytails & AA Hair Care
Pig tails or ponytails are cute, but can cause damage to African American Hair. Learn a few quick tips to keep your child's african american hair looking great.

History of Open Adoption
Catch a quick informative glimpse of adoption in this short article by Lucille Carroll, guest author.

Celebrating Mother's Day
Views from birthmoms and adoptive moms on the importance of birth mother's day. Find ideas for celebration and honoring birth mothers everywhere on the Saturday before Mother's Day - Birth Mother's Day.

Adoption Poem When Angels...
Adoption poems can help heal wounds. Here an adoptive mother shares feelings through an adoption poem written for her child.

4 Tips To Stop Bullying
Deb Capone is our newest guest author on About Adoption & Foster Care. She brings us a great article featuring tips to stop bullying at school. Bullying is an adoption issue due to the fact that experts find that common causes of bullying are rooted in diversity: racial differences, differences in family formation/structure, perceived sexual orientation, learning disabilities, and religious differences. Many adoptions cross cultural and racial lines. Get great tips to stop bullying now.

Putative Father Registries
Listing and information regarding putative father registries in the United States. Locate your state to see what the law says about putative father registries in your area.

Can You Hear a Mother's Cry?
Adoption poems written while waiting for the finalization of an adoption. Adoption poems written by adoptive mothers.

Georgia Foster Care
Locate a state foster care agency in Georgia and learn more about family foster care.

My Reunion Story
The story of when I found out I had a big sister.

Over Shampooing
African American hair care tip, do not over shampoo. African American hair needs special hair care.

Prayer Request
The following article is a list of needs to keep in our prayers when we consider foster children, their families, and the foster families and workers that serve them.

Statistics
How many children were in foster care in the US?

Handmade Gifts for Parents
Handmade gifts for birth parents in a foster or adoptive situation.

Lifebook
A wonderful book that tells how to make a lifebook for the foster or adopted child. Includes how to word delicate life stories, what information to include, and how to include the child in the lifebook process.

Oklahoma
Fostering in the State of Oklahoma. Learn more about the Oklahoma foster care system.

Respite Care
How to prepare for respite weekends for foster children. Information for the foster parents needing a break.

Adopting From China
How long is the wait for an adoption referral for a child in China? How long do Chinese adoptions take?

Statisitcs
Who adopts children in foster care? Foster parents? Relatives?

Colorado Foster Care
Locate a state foster care agency in Colorado and learn more about family foster care.

Ice-T
Ice T spent time in a foster home as a kid.

Starting the Adoption Process
Before you take the first steps into the adoption process you may want to understand a bit of the adoption lingo that you will hear. What is an adoption homestudy? What is a dossier? How should I choose my adoption agency?

Questions About Foster Child
When a foster parent gets a call to take in a new foster child, it can be a bit overwhelming. Foster parents know they should ask certain questions, but they seem to leave our minds. Here are a list of basic questions that foster parents can ask social workers when they get a call about a foster child being placed in their home.

Because of Winn-Dixie
"Because of Winn-Dixie" is a wonderful story about a little girl who is growing up without a mother. The child meets a stray dog who happens to have a heart touching smile and a knack for meeting people.

Top 20 Countries in 2005
What were the top 20 countries the U.S. adopted from in 2005?

Adoption Search Angels
How to get started searching with an Adoption Search Angel. What to expect and not expect from Adoption Search Angels. An available listing of Free Search Angels.

Step Parent Adoption
Learn the basic steps to completing a step parent adoption. Contacting an adoption lawyer is a good first step as each State handles step parent adoptions differently.

Until Forever
Adoption poem by adoptive parent, Tom Fisher. Adoption Poems can be very healing for members of the adoption triad.

Answering Questions
It's important that we teach our foster/adoptive child how to answer questions that other kids can ask about being adopted or in foster care. It's also important for the kids to know how to keep things private and not to tell too much information at school. Prepare for back-to-school with the use of cover stories and knowing how to answer the hard questions.

Getting Started
An article about adoption and the decision making process. Adopting a child is a huge step. Get information that you need to formulate your adoption questions and gain answers.

Search Angels
How to become an Adoption Search Angel. What to expect and not expect from Adoption Search Angels. An available listing of Angels.

Prepare to Parent
Don't walk into an international or domestic adoption blind, prepare to be a parent. Learn a few key elements from the following list of ideas and thoughts on preparing to parent an internationally adopted, foster care adoption or domestic adopted child.

Ways to Help Children Grieve
We may feel helpless when our children are grieving a loss. Here are 8 different ways to help our children grieve.

All About Adoption Search
The basics of adoption search in one place. From DNA testing to adoption search angels, there is more than one way to accomplish an adoption search.

Movie Review: I Am Sam
"I Am Sam" is a wonderful movie for any foster family to see. It gives an excellent example of two families working together for the good of a child.

South Carolina
Fostering in the State of South Carolina. Learn more about the foster care system in South Carolina.

Birth Fathers
A story of a man's fight to be a part of his child's life after being left out of the adoption process.

Hague Adoption Countries
The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is for the well being of all members of the adoption triad. There are several member and non-member countries of the Hague Conference are members of the Convention.

Georgia
Adopting from the State of Georgia. Learn more about child adoption in Georgia.

Hurricane Katrina Orphans
Information on helping the youngest victims of our nations worst disaster. Learn how to obtain a foster care license in your home state.

Domestic Private Agency
A breakdown of the costs associated with adoption.

Prepare for Foster Care
So, you're thinking about becoming a foster parent, but don't know if you are ready? Plan for a future of doing foster care with these 10 easy steps.

What Is the ISRR?
What is the International Soundex Reunion Registry(ISRR) and how can it assist you in your adoption search? Learn about RegDay and how to register with the International Soundex Reunion Registry(ISRR).

Name that Adoption or Foster Care Themed Children's Book
A fun quiz to test your knowledge of children's books that focus on an adoption or foster care theme. Many of these books have heros that are orphaned.

Adoption Poem Angels Working
An adoption poem for children, submitted by an adoptive parent. Adoption poetry is one way many members of the adoption triad work through feelings and emotions that often accompany the subject of adoption and foster care.

Who Can Foster?
Who can be a foster parent? It's open to almost everyone. Foster parents are needed all over the world. Are you ready to be a foster parent and help a foster child?

Adoption Community Hub
Adoption & Foster Care Web site on About.com offers a variety of ways for those in the adoption and foster care community to stay involved and interact online. Free adoption forum access as well as adoption newsletters are just a start.

Illinois Foster Care
Locate a state foster care agency in Illinois and learn more about family foster care.

Adoptive Parent Blogs
Top 10 adoptive parent blogs. Whether adopting internationally, domestically, or special needs - these families have a story to share - and they do - in their blogs.

I Dream of You
Beautiful adoption poem by Tom Fisher about a birth parent's love. Adoption poems can be very healing for members of the adoption triad.

Adoptive Mother Defined
Who are adoptive parents particularly adoptive mothers? What traits do they possess? What does it take to be an adoptive parent?

Adoption Poem Not My Own
Adoption poems can help heal wounds. Here an adoptee shares feelings through adoption poems.

Cultural Bedtime Stories
Stories to read to your children at bedtime for a time of bonding and learning about different cultures.

What to Look for in an Agency
What should you look for in a good adoption agency? What things should you look out for? Read the experiences of birth and adoptive parents who have worked with both good and bad adoption agencies.

Gay/Lesbian Sites
A list of information for gay and lesbian couples interested in adoption, foster care, and parenting. A great on-line resource for gay adoption. Gay parenting helps.

Destroying a Marriage
Foster care is stressful and can hurt a marriage if we don't do our best to be good partners in fostering. A tongue-in-cheek top ten list for all foster parents.

African American Hair Error 4
African American hair needs special care. Learn how to properly comb African American hair.

Florida Foster Care
Locate a state foster care agency in Florida and learn more about family foster care.

How to Adopt a Foster Child
Many adoptive parents choose foster care adoption. This is a great way to help the thousands of children who wait in foster care for years. Learn the steps to a foster care adoption.

Establishing You as a Parent
When adopting an older child, establishing yourself as a parent can be a daunting task, especially if you are a first time parent or a younger person. Here are some tips to help.

Meeting Your New Foster Child
New foster parents often struggle with that first day. Learn some tips on how to handle the first meeting and day one with your new foster child.

Aging Out
How many children aged out of foster care in 2002?

A Birth Mother's Story
The story of one birth mother making the most difficult decision of her life. Here she shares her struggles and emotions thta she went through, and still goes through as a birthmother in an open adoption situation.

Adopting From Guatemala
A quick walk through on adopting from Guatemala. Guatemala adoption requirements are laid out as well as information on needed paperwork to complete a Guatemala adoption.

Birth Parent Adoption Reunion
What are some things to consider before embarking on an adoption reunion? I asked our adoption forum for some ideas on adoption reunion and this is what they had to say.

Meeting Birth Family
Fostering connections with the birth family is extremely important to family reunification. Find ideas to help form a bond between foster parents and birth family.

A Moonbeam
Adoption poem by an adoptive father who awaits for a referral. Adoption poems can be very healing to members of the triad.

Making the Decision
Deciding to adopt a baby is a huge decision. Who should choose adoption? Should you adopt a baby internationally or Domestically? There are many questions to consider and choices to make in the world of adoption.

Angelina Jolie
Information on famous adoptive parent, Angelina Jolie. Not only is she a popular film star, but a humanitarian who does good work across the globe to help make life better for children. Angelina Jolie is also in a relationship with Brad Pitt, they have a child together.

Winter African American Hair
Mahisha Dellinger, founder of Curls, gives basic steps to great looking African American Hair during the winter. Learn quick tips to healthy African American Hair.

Ohio
Fostering in the State of Ohio.

Adoption Poem Waiting for ...
Adoption poems can help heal wounds. Here a potential adoptive father shares his feelings as he waits to hear about a possible domestic adoption referral.

Landmark Cases in Adoption Law
Eleven different court cases that have changed adoption law over the years. The following are the most persuasive adoption law cases that have affected courts across the nation.

The Wall
This is the wall keeping countless mothers separated from their children by the system called Open Adoption.

Seeking Custody Again
Can a parent whose rights were terminated seek custody if the child hasn't been adopted yet? An Ohio court examines the limits of terminated parental rights.

Intercountry Adoption Costs
An outline of the costs involved with an international adoption.

Nevada
Fostering in the State of Nevada.

Grief and Loss in Children
Children in adoption or foster care experience the grief and loss of their birth families. Learn more about the grief and loss in children.

International Adoption
What are the first steps to beginning an international adoption? What paperwork do you need? How best to proceed with an international adoption?

Two Families
Amanda, an adoptee from Taiwan, wrote the following adoption poem when she was nine years old, just after meeting her birth mother for the first time. Adoption Poems tell the adoption story in a unique and often beautiful way.

Oregon
Fostering in the State of Oregon. Learn about Foster Care in Oregon.