When our adopted child joined our home, we received a medical history for each birthparent. Even with all of the medical history we received, we still do not have a complete medical background for my son’s extended birth family. This can be a problem for many adoptive families, especially when the adopted child is exposed to allergens.

Last summer, my son experienced his first bee sting. He did not have an allergic reaction to the sting, which was to be expected because this was his first exposure to the potential allergen. In... more

The steps you need to take to protect your adopted child from sexual predators are similar to the steps taken to protect any child. However, there are some additional safeguards you should put into place to protect an adopted child from sexual predators.

1. Talk to your child about sexual predators.

It is hard to take away some of your child’s innocence by making him aware that there are “bad people” in the world. Unfortunately, you must take this step to protect your child. If... more

While looking for related topics for my last post, Protecting Adopted Child from the Media, I stumbled upon a good post that was written last year called Talking to kids about sexual predators. As an abuse survivor myself who is parenting an adopted child, this post jumped out at me, particularly when Adrienne talked about protecting... more

Should you tell your child’s teacher about his adoption? If yes, then when should you share this information? Is a child’s adoption something that a teacher needs to know about, or is it private information that your child should decide whether to share?

I am active on a message board for adoptive mothers, and we have debated this topic several times. We have never been able to reach consensus, so I will share with you the pros and cons discussed. I do not believe there is a right or wrong answer: Follow... more

It's the middle of summer, and unless you are fortunate enough to have year round schooling, you're in the middle of summer vacation and probably praying for school to start again.

To add a little levity, here are some dumb laws about children that should make you laugh.

Arizona - Maricopa County: No more than six girls may live in any house.

California - Community leaders passed an ordinance that makes it illegal for anyone to try and stop a child from playfully jumping over puddles of water.

Florida... more

How do kids deal with loss? There are as many ways as there are children who’ve had loss! The most common method for the kids in my house is ANGER. I’m often asked if having so many children in one home makes things difficult for the children. Don’t they feed off of each other, increasing anger and poor behavior? In my family, this is not the case.

Kids who come to our house have not made a straight-line journey to get here. Rather, most have come from other adoptions that have been dissolved. For some... more

There are times that I get really worried about my toddlers behavior. It’s her lack of impulse control, not listening and need to control every situation. I’m seeing more manipulative traits and my daughter seems to have an inner need to push the envelope. What she is showing me at 29 months stuns and shocks me... what will the future hold?

I have worked with children for many years and have never met a child like Livi. The Love I have for her is too immense to put into words. She frustrates me and I get frustrated with myself that I’m... more

It’s that time of year again. This year we are older and wiser. Last summer my daughter was still falling often and not quite tall enough for most playground equipment. I expect that because my daughter is older and steadier on her feet that this summer will be a real hoot.

1.Come Prepared- sun block, a change of clothes, snacks and water. I’m always stunned when I see Moms come unprepared to the playground and they spend a few hours playing. I envy that type of spontaneous parenting but I can’t leave home without my bag of just in case... more

While I have never had a really picky eater on my hands.. thank goodness.My daughter would eat anything I put in front of her when we first came home, she has recently begun having preferences and getting more picky. I have been having a hard time getting her to eat or even taste veggies. She is starting to show a picky nature… one day she will love chicken and the next turn her nose up. I use to be able to get her to at least taste vegetables- now she basically turns her nose up at anything green. She does not even like corn and most kids will eat... more

Continued from Part One and Part Two

How should parents respond to help a child with eating issues?

Some suggestions found recently on the adoptive parenting forum discussion include: