1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Adoption / Foster Care

Adoption / Foster Care: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
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'"
African American Hair Error 3
Using the right products on African American hair is very important. African American hair needs special care.
Gay & Lesbian Adoption Basics
Gay adoption information for those interested in expanding their families. More and more gay and lesbian families are looking to start families through adoption. Learn more about gay adoption.
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.
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.
David Pelzer Quiz
How much do you know about David Pelzer, author of
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.
Foster Care Basics
Foster care information on foster parenting, the needs of foster care children and state profiles on foster care agencies.
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.
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.
How Many Gay Parents?
How many children are being raised in a homosexual family? Read up on this interesting gay adoption statistic.
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?
State Adoption Registry
Many States utilize a State adoption registry, that both the adoptee and the birth family must register with stating whether or not they are interested in an adoption reunion. Learn more about your State's adoption registry.
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?
Should I Do Foster Care?
Points to ponder while deciding on whether or not to be a foster parent. Information about Foster Care.
Before You Choose Adoption
When deciding whether adopting a baby or child is right, there are many questions to resolve. Consider these common issues before you answer the big one, is adoption right for you and your family?
Ways to Help
If you are unable to do foster care at this time, what other ways can you help foster children? We have several ideas for you that will help foster children.
Affording the Cost of Adoption
One of the major reasons people don't pursue adoption is the cost of adoption, especially international adoption. Many every day people have added to their family through adoption without going flat broke. Here are a few ways to help with adoption costs
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.
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.
Christmas Movie Picks
Looking for a Christmas movie with an adoption theme? Here are a few movies for Christmas that will meet your needs.
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.
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.
What Is a Search Angel?
How to become an Adoption Search Angel. What to expect and not expect from Adoption Search Angels. An available listing of Angels.
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 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?
Confidential Intermediary
Adoption searches sometimes require the use of a Confidential Intermediary (CI). What is a CI?
Dave Pelzer
Dave Pelzer endured years of child abuse and five different foster homes. Dave Pelzer grew up and become an accomplished author and a famous foster kid.
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.
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.
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?
Non-identifying Information
What is non-identifying information? Why is it important part of adoption records? Can I access my adoption records in order to gain my non-identifying information?
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.
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? There is a lot to consider when diving into the adoption process of an international or domestic adoption.
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.
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.
Adoption Ornaments
Adoption ornaments make great adoption gifts. Select one of these fine adoption ornaments that work with any adoption, or personalize for your adoption story.
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.
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.
A Birth Mother's Story
This is the story of one birth mother making the most difficult decision of her life; to place her infant in an open adoption. Here she shares her struggles and emotions that she went through, and still goes through as a birthmother in an open adoption situation.
Domestic Adoption Costs
The costs involved with a domestic adoptions.
Types for Gay Adoptions
What options are available for gay and lesbian adoptions? Learn about the different type of adoptions that can help build a gay family.
Domestic Public Agency
A breakdown of the different costs associated with adoption.
Adoption Search Angels
How to get started searching with an Adoption Search Angel. What to expect and not expect from Adoption Search Angels. Check to see if there is a free adoption search angel available in your area of search.
How Many People Are Gay?
What percentage of people are gay in the United States today? Gay adoption information, issues, myths, and concerns.
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?
U.S. 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.
5 Minute Bonding
Fast and easy activities to promote bonding between you and your foster or adopted child.
Adoption Grants and Loans
Adoption grants and adoption loans may help more families cover the cost of adoption. With the help of adoption grants and adoption loans, more children may find forever families.
Love Languages
Learn more about the book, The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. Utilizing the five love languages may be a wonderful way to build attachment and bonding within your newly adoptive or foster family.
African American Hair Error 4
African American hair needs special care. Learn how to properly comb African American hair.
African American Hair Care Tip
Learn how to care for African American hair. Simple steps to African American hair care.
Colorado Foster Care
Locate a state foster care agency in Colorado and learn more about family foster care.
Gay Family
There is a lot to think about before adding to your family. When considering adoption for a gay family, there seems to be even more decisions to make and options to keep in mind. A gay prospective adoptive parent must not only work through the adoption process, but also know what choices are available in their state or country regarding adding to a gay family through adoption.
Making the Decision
Deciding to become a parent is a huge decision. Is adoption a good way for you to become a parent? 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.
12 Days of Christmas Prep
A parody of "The 12 Days of Christmas" for foster and adoptive parents, focusing on preparing for Christmas. Things we need to do in 12 days to get ready for Christmas and the stresses that go along with "the happiest time of the year." Read my version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" for foster and adoptive parents.
Over Shampooing
African American hair care tip, do not over shampoo. African American hair needs special hair care.
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.
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.
Tangled Heart Necklace
A beautiful necklace that would make a great gift for any member of the adoption triad. The net proceeds go to a charity that supports children who age out of the foster care system. The fund is administered by the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA).
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.
Holidays and Foster Children
Parenting foster children can be a challenge at any time of the year, but holidays can be extra stressful. Get 8 quick ideas of things to get done in your foster family before Christmas gets here and have time to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
Grief and Loss in Children
Children in adoption or foster care, experience the grief and loss of their birth families and much more. Learn more about the grief and loss of foster or adopted children.
Answering Questions
It's important that we teach our foster or adoptive child how to answer questions that school children 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 that some school children can ask.
Adoption Law by State
United State adoption law for the adoption of children as well as adoption search. Find the adoption law for your state.
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.
Adoption Search Angel
Adoption Search Volunteer willing to work with adoptees and their birth families for family reunions. Adoption searches may be made easier with an adoption search angel.
Unwed Fathers
Legal information and how-to's for fathers to preserve their father's rights to be either a part of the adoption process or parent their child. Learn more about protecting a father's right to be a part of the adoption process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
History of Open Adoption
Catch a quick informative glimpse of open adoption in this short article by Lucille Carroll, guest author. Open adoption is not a new concept.
What Is a CASA?
CASA volunteers or court appointed special advocates, speak out for children. These volunteers are everyday citizens who take time to advocate for children in court.
Obtaining Non-identifying Info
A very important first step in an adoption search towards is to access your non-identifying information from your adoption records. How each State handles adoption records varies. Learn how your State handles this very important information.
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.
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?
How to Become a Foster Parent
While each state is different in the trainings offered and requirements mandated for foster homes, the starting point is basic enough that we can come up with a quick list of steps to take toward becoming a foster parent.
What Is a Safety Plan?
What is a safety plan and why are they used within foster homes? Learn some of the reasons why foster and adoptive families implement a safety plan.
Adoption Poem - What I Am
Lisa Myers, adoptee, shares another adoption poem with About.com readers. Adoption poems can be healing to members of the triad.
State Adoption Agencies
Links to the State adoption agencies that train, license, and match children within the state's custody to adoptive parents.
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.
Foreign Adult Adoption
Can an Adult From a Foreign Country be Adopted into the United States?
I-600A
Information on your first form to be filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service when starting your international adoption process.
Legal Issues for Gay Family
There are many legal issues that plague the gay and lesbian family. The first step before deciding on adding to your family is to know where gay adoption is legal. Are you wanting to know more about the legal issues facing your gay or lesbian family?
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.
A Birth Mother's Story
This is the story of one birth mother making the most difficult decision of her life; to place her infant in an open adoption. Here she shares her struggles and emotions that she went through, and still goes through as a birthmother in an open adoption situation.
What Is an Adoption Subsidy?
What is an adoption subsidy? How is it determined if a child qualifies for an adoption subsidy?
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.
What to Look for in an Agency
What should you look for in good adoption agencies? 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.
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.
Discounted Airfare & Adoption
Some airlines offer varying adoption fare programs with discounted airfares to assist adoptive parents with the high cost and the need for flexibility within the ever changing world of international adoption travel. Are discounted airfares offered through adoption fare programs always the best deal for international adoption travelers?
Russian Adoption
Who are the waiting children of Russia? What ages of children are in orphanages awaiting new adoptive families? What you need to know when thinking about adopting a child from Russia.
Kara's Adoption Reunion
Adoption reunions are not always a happy time. Sometimes birth family doesn't want to meet the adoptee. Sometimes an adoptee has no where else to turn.
ABC's Find My Family
ABC offers new adoption reunion show, "Find My Family." Surprisingly I think ABC did a pretty good job with the adoption reunion and handled it well. Watch for future episodes of "Find My Family."
International Adoption
What are the first steps to beginning an international adoption? What paperwork do you need? Learn the basic steps to proceed with an international adoption from a non-Hague Convention country.
Do's and Don'ts for Grown-Ups
An excerpt from the book, "Cross-Cultural Adoption." What are some do's and don'ts for adults who work with or who are related to newly formed families through international adoption? Get a glimpse into a great book here.
Adoption Reunion for Adoptees
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.
Ukraine Adoption
Who are the waiting children of Ukraine? What ages of children are in orphanages awaiting new adoptive families?
Age, Sex, Needs...
Are you exploring adoption? Should you consider an baby adoption? What special needs can you meet? What age or sex will best fit into your family? Explore you adoption options here.
Kentucky Foster Care
Learn more about foster care in Kentucky. Every state needs more foster care homes.
Respite Care
Sometimes foster parents just need a break and respite can be a great option. Find tips on how to prepare for respite weekends for foster children.
Alabama Foster Care
Learn more about foster care in Alabama. Every state needs more foster care homes.
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.
African American Hair Tip 2
Do not under condition African American hair. African American hair needs special care.
Illinois Foster Care
Locate a state foster care agency in Illinois and learn more about family foster care.
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.
Setting Up a Bedroom
Being prepared for foster parenting is very important. Find a listing of basic clothing, bedding, hygiene products, and toys for setting up a room for an older child adoption or foster care placement. Learn how to prepare for foster parenting or adoptive parenting.
Ohio
Fostering in the State of Ohio.
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.
Florida Foster Care
Locate a state foster care agency in Florida and learn more about family foster care.
Activities for Foster Children
Ideas for things to do to help keep your foster/adoptive children busy during breaks from school. These summer fun 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.
Ways to Help Children Grieve
We may feel helpless when our children are grieving a loss. Here are different ways to help our foster or adopted children with grieving.
A Mother's Love
Adoption Poem by Tom Fisher, adoptive parent. Adoption poems can be very healing for members of the adoption triad.
Reindeer
This cute Rudolph will surely brighten up any dull winter day. Have fun with this activity.
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.
Children Raised to Be Gay?
Is homosexuality nature or nurture issue? Gay parenting issues, myths, and concerns.
Iowa Foster Care
Learn more about foster care in the State of Iowa. Learn more about the foster care system in the state of Iowa.
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.
My Reunion Story
The story of when I found out I had a big sister.
Next Steps for Expectant Moms
Making the decision to place your baby for adoption will be one of the most difficult decisions of your life. Once you've decided that adoption is right for your baby, what do you need to think about? What is the expectant mother and soon to be birth mother's next steps toward a baby adoption?
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.
Adoption Reunion & Apar Family
So, is an adoption reunion always bad news for adoptive parents? Some adoptees and birth parents feel that adoptive parents have no place in an adoption reunion.
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.
Georgia Foster Care
Locate a state foster care agency in Georgia and learn more about family foster care.
She Loves Me
Adoption poem by adoptive parent Tom Fisher. He writes about the love a birth mother has for her child. Adoption poems can be very healing for members of the adoption triad.
Why Choose Open Adoption?
An open adoption means an adoptive family and birth family keeping in contact for the benefit of a child. Contact in an open adoption can mean different things to different families as contact can range from letters and emails, to phone calls or regular visitation. While it can be a tricky arraignment an open adoption is often in the child's best interest. However there are pros and cons to choosing an open adoption.
California Adoption
Information on California adoption. Lean the requirements and contact information to complete an California adoption.
Domestic Private Agency
A breakdown of the costs associated with adoption.
What Is AdoptUsKids?
AdoptUsKids collaborates with various agencies to help recruit, train, and match foster and adoptive parents with the waiting children of the United States. Learn more about Adopt Us Kids.
Intercountry Adoption Costs
An outline of the costs involved with an international adoption.
5 Gift Ideas for Birthmoms
Touching gifts that an adult adoptee can create for his/her birth parent.
Until Forever
Adoption poem by adoptive parent, Tom Fisher. Adoption Poems can be very healing for members of the adoption triad.
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.
Washington
Fostering in the State of Washington. Learn more about foster care in the state of Washington.
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.
Free Adoption Search
Find an Adoption Search Angel in your geographical search area. Then email the free Adoption Search Angel all the information you have found on your birth family to begin your adoption search.
Statistics
How many children were in foster care in the US?
Wisconsin
Fostering in the State of Wisconsin. Learn more about fostering in Wisconsin.
Placing/Birth Parent Blogs
A list of top birth parent blogs. Get the other side of the adoption journey - read blogs.
Lifebook
Definition for lifebooks and how they can benefit the adopted or foster child. Lifebook are very beneficial to adopted or foster children.
Home Study FAQ's
What are the most common questions asked about adoption home studies? How can you prepare for your adoption home study?
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.
Elements that Impact Grief
What may impact a foster or adopted child's grief? Learn more about the grief and loss in children and the elements that make one child's experience with grief harder than another child's.
Older child adoptions
Parenting a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) brings many difficulties and challenges. Information to gather from a social worker before adopting a child. Any and all information will help make diagnosis, treatment, and parenting more effective.
Sunfluer's Jewelry
Beautiful handmade jewelry that send special heart felt messages about adoption. Jewelry with Russian adoption or China adoption themes available as well as custom designs.
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.
How to Create a Safety Plan
How to create a safety plan when children have unsafe behaviors within your home. Learn how to keep your family safe with a safety plan.
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.
Foster Kids Fighting
What do you do when foster kids fight? How can you establish peace within your foster home and deal with all the kids fighting? Here are 10 ideas to help when foster kids fight.
Explore Adoption / Foster Care
About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Family Tech Center

Stay connected and entertained with reviews on tips on the latest HDTVs, cellphones and more. More >

  1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Adoption / Foster Care

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.