What do adoptive and foster parents need to know about the impacts of prenatal exposure to opioids, Suboxone, and Methadone? What are the risks to a baby born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome or Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS)? We talk with Dr. Julian Davies, a pediatrician at the University of Washington’s Center for Adoption Medicine
When Your Child’s Trauma Impacts Your Marriage
Parenting a child who has experienced trauma can create a strain on even the strongest, healthiest of partnerships. No matter how well you think you have prepared yourself to bring this child home, you are finding that his challenging behaviors create frustration and exhaustion in your relationship with your spouse or partner. What can you
How a Parent’s History with Attachment and Trauma Impacts Adoption and Fostering
Have you ever wondered why a specific behavior by your child drives you crazy? What do we as parents bring to the relationship that could be part of the problem? On a recent episode of the Creating a Family podcast, adoption professional Dawn Davenport talks about how a parent’s history with attachment and trauma impacts
Tips for Talking with Tweens and Teens About Adoption
Parents often dread the teen years, fearing rebellion, challenges, and hormones. Maybe it’s time to “flip the script” and look at this time in your adopted child’s life as an opportunity. Yeah, I know, easier said than done! Check out these tips to make talking about adoption easier. Tips for Talking with Tweens and Teens
Centering the Adoptee Experience in Adoption Narratives
We are thankful for the adult adoptees who share their experiences to educate and support us as we learn how to parent our adopted and foster children well. This guest post highlights thoughts from a member of the Creating A Family online community who has been a consistent advocate for centering the adoptee in adoption
If You Want to Adopt From Foster Care, Should You Agree to Foster First?
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. View the original post. If your real goal is to adopt from foster care, will sharing this information with the foster care agency hurt your chances of receiving a placement? We recently received this question from one person, but I
Tips for Raising a Transracial Adoptee
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. See the original post. Parenting a child who is a different race or culture than you requires extra education and preparedness to be ready for culture and identity issues. You will have the tremendous responsibility of helping your child
A Letter To My Adopted Child’s Teacher
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. See the original post. Adopted parents may feel uncertain about the messages kids receive in school about their family, their unique story, or the child’s individual needs or experiences. If you are like many adoptive parents in our community, you
Overcoming Unhealthy Dynamics Between Siblings
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. See the original post beyond typical sibling squabbles “Oh my gosh, my little one tattles (whines, cries, fights, etc.) all the time!” “I wish Johnny and Susie could get along for just one day! I’m starting to feel like this
A Guide to Selecting An Adoption Or Foster Therapist
This content was originally published by Creating a Family, the national infertility education and support nonprofit. View the original post. Families usually experience great joy as they welcome newly adopted or foster children into their lives. When a child comes home, parents might start counseling right away, or the need may not arise until a
