There is no greater joy than being with your newborn baby. When parents adopt a newborn, many wonder if the bonding process will be any different. The fact is that bonding will naturally occur regardless of biological connections. Your baby is a clean slate and is looking for the comfort and love of other humans. As their parents, you are those special humans!

Here are just a few of the best ways to start fostering that special connection with your newborn baby.

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Post Adoption Depression Syndrome (PADS) is finally getting more of the recognition it needs, but so many adoptive parents still don’t fully understand how serious it can be. Moreover, they have no idea how to cope.

Depression in any form can be debilitating and it is critical to remember that what you feel is real. This is not a sign of weakness, your adoption has not failed, and yes, you can overcome this. Adoption is an extremely emotional process, and many adoptive parents go through a massive adjustment period when they bring their new child home. Be patient and understand that there are ways to carry on during this difficult time.

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Having your first child can feel like the most terrifying adventure of your lifetime. Every parent goes through their fears, doubts, and triumphs with each new milestone, always learning along the way. By the second or third, you may have just finally gained some confidence.

One of the more difficult quandaries of parenting, however, is how to manage your firstborn when the new baby comes into the picture. Balancing the needs of a newborn with those of a toddler can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier.

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Open adoption is becoming increasingly common. Choosing this type of adoption has many benefits for everyone involved, but like any relationship, it requires conscious effort to be successful. There are different levels of openness in any open adoption, and it is up to the birthmother and the adoptive parents to set those boundaries for the benefit of the child. With a foundation of trust, respect, and communication, this can be an extremely rewarding experience.

Whether you are a birthmother or you are looking to adopt, there are some important points to remember in creating a healthy open adoption.

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Birthmothers often have many family profiles to evaluate before making their choice, so you want your letter to stand out. It’s the part of your profile that allows your personality and love to really shine through. So where do you start?

To take some of the stress out of crafting the right Dear Birthmother letter, try following some of these tips:

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Meeting a birthmother is perhaps one of the most stressful points in the adoption process. It can be a delicate situation in which you may be at a loss for what to say or how to act. While you are thrilled and excited about a new baby, it’s hard to know what she may be thinking or feeling. In open adoption, you are also making a lifelong connection with her as well as the baby, so it may feel as though there is an enormous pressure to start the relationship off on the right note.

At the same time, meeting a birthmother can be extremely positive. With the right approach, this meeting can set the stage for a mutually beneficial bond. Even if you don’t necessarily hit it off, it’s a learning experience that can help you in the future.

There are a few suggestions that can help make meeting a birthmother less nerve-wracking and more rewarding.

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Bringing a new child into your family is an amazing experience. Sadly, though, some families that are interested in adopting a child or are looking into adoption may become discouraged due to some common adoption myths. Here are some common adoption myths debunked to help you in your adoption process.

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It’s completely understandable that the home study is one of the hardest parts of the adoption for a lot of people; it’s not necessarily difficult, but it does require some preparation. The actual home visit is not as invasive as many think, but it does help to take some time to make sure you have everything that the inspector will be looking for. Below are a few tips on how to prepare for your home study.

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