The process of adoption is truly a roller coaster of emotions: the good, the bad and everything in between. Each stumbling block is another obstacle to overcome on the way to what is hoped to be an incredibly happy ending. Adoption comes with high expectations of joy, love, hope and a true sense of family. But what happens when things don’t go exactly as planned? Though it may seem unrealistic to some that have not experienced the process, parents can fail to feel attached or connected to their adopted child. It is important to understand that this is a real situation that many adoptive parents may face. 

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Understanding and navigating through various tax rules, regulations and guidelines can be extremely challenging. Identifying the specific credits that you may be entitled to during the year can be even more difficult. For example, If you are an adoptive parent, there is a specific tax credit that will apply to you and your particular situation. Each year, this credit and its structure can change. However, there is an adoption credit of up to $14,300 for qualified expenses that were paid out of pocket for last year. 

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Domestic adoption creates a place for families to develop by giving children a home to live in with loving parents. Many adoptions occur when a blood relative takes on a family member’s responsibility with a child. Others are non-blood-related adoptions. Both types of adoption require specific steps to meet all of the necessary requirements before the adoption can occur. 

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At some point, a friend or a family member may confide in you they are starting the adoption process for a child. Just as with pregnancies, an adoptive parent can become as excited as someone who is giving a biological birth. How you react and support them going forward will make all of the difference in the world in reducing worries and stress within the adoption process. Let’s look at what your friend or a family member needs during this process and what you can do for adoption support if someone you know is adopting. 

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Adoption is a beautiful way to create a safe and giving home for a child in need of a family. It also offers parents purpose and love by starting a new family. The overwhelming majority of adoptions are success stories, but what happens when a parent struggles with bonding in adoption? 

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Developmental regression, which means going back to a younger way of behaving, is not unusual in children of various ages, and especially in children who have recently been placed for adoption. While regression may be frustrating to you as parents, it can be worked through as a family.

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Feeding is a typical major concern of new parents with an adopted baby. It can be overwhelming to figure out which formula is best for your new baby and which type of bottle they would prefer. It is always important to emphasize that amid all the stress, do not forget your own physical and mental health. If you are eating right and focused on building a healthy relationship, feeding your newly adopted baby will become more routine and easier over time. In this article, we will highlight some basic tips about feeding your newborn adopted baby: 

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One unexpected side-effect of the Covid-19 pandemic has been how it has brought many adoptions screeching to a halt. Shutdowns make documentation, matching, and getting to know expectant mothers difficult and sometimes impossible. Adoptions can be frustrating under the best circumstances, but how can you cope when a pandemic has your adoption on hold?
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An open adoption is essentially a relationship between the adoptive parents, birth parents, and the child, versus a closed adoption, where the birth parents aren’t a part of the child’s upbringing whatsoever. In order for the open adoption to thrive, there are three key ingredients needed: commitment, communication, and flexibility.

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Open adoptions can be complicated, as you are essentially bringing together people of varying demographics. The birth parents may be currently enrolled in high school, living with their parents in a lower-income neighborhood, and working shifts at the neighborhood fast food joint, while the adoptive parents might be 35 with a household income of $100,000 a year. Not to mention the unequal power position of the adoptive parents over the birth parents. 

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