Adoption

State sued over toddler’s sex-reassignment surgery

Monica Beyer — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:30:00 -0700

In what may be the first lawsuit of its kind, a South Carolina couple is suing the state for performing sex-reassignment surgery on a toddler in its care. Did the state overstep its bounds, or does the couple — who adopted the child soon after the surgery — need to drop the case?

Why I chose to become a foster parent

Michelle Maffei — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:00 -0700

On the heels of Kelli Higgins' "newborn" photo shoot of her 13-year-old son going viral, it's important to understand how many women choose to become a foster mom — and the reasons they choose to open their hearts and homes to foster babies and children may surprise you.

Adoption photos: The moment I became a mom

Laura Willard — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:00:00 -0700

For moms whose families were created or expanded through adoption, few things are as emotional as meeting her child for the first time. In honor of Mother's Day, we've gathered special photos of those first moments – a precious few seconds shared between a mom and the newest member of her family.

Baby name resolutions for new parents

Kim Grundy — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 12:00:00 -0800

If you are gearing up to pick the perfect baby name for your child in the upcoming year, it is time to brush up on these baby name resolutions. Whether this is your first child or third, you are expecting twins or are adopting, check out these tips for picking the perfect baby name.

Rascal Flatts hosts adoption awareness Christmas special

Deirdre Kaye — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:19:00 -0800

A Home for the Holidays is an excellent television tradition to pull on your heartstrings during the Christmas season.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green: What makes a family

Laura Willard — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:50:00 -0800

The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Disney's touching movie that helps you remember what really matters in life, comes out on DVD Tuesday, December 4, 2012. Read our review of the film that has an adoption theme and watch an exclusive clip.

Raising a girl to be more than pretty

Guest Author — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:00:00 -0800

We want our daughters to take pride in their looks, but also all their other amazing qualities. With so much emphasis in the media about girls looking beautiful, parents need to put the focus back on the things that really matter.

Spreading awareness: National Adoption Month

Laura Willard — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 08:00:00 -0700

November is National Adoption Month! The purpose of National Adoption Month is to spread awareness about the children in foster care and their need for loving, permanent families. How can you help a foster child in need of a family?

Oxygen Media set to premiere I'm Having Their Baby

SheKnows Entertainment Editors — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:30:00 -0700

Oxygen's new series I'm Having Their Baby provides viewers with a look at the adoption experience by chronicling birth mothers as they face the decision whether or not to place their children with another family.

The realities of adopting from foster care

Kori Ellis — Wed, 30 May 2012 08:00:00 -0700

As National Foster Care Month winds down, we talked to MéLisa Lomelino — a foster parent who has adopted six children. MéLisa talked with us about her own family, as well as about the foster care system in general.

Two babies and no pregnancy for Jillian Michaels

Monica Beyer — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Many people didn't know Jillian Michaels is gay until it was announced that her partner had a baby — followed by the news that she adopted a toddler at practically the same time. Now, the fitness buff dives head-first into new parenthood caring for two little ones.

New app brings awareness to foster care

Monica Beyer — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 -0700

If you haven't had any first-hand experience, the realities of foster care are distant and perhaps idyllic. Now, coinciding with National Foster Care Month and with the help of Children’s Rights, Facebook users can see what life is like for children who go through foster care.

Celebrity mom Denise Richards talks family fun, motherhood and adoption

Kori Ellis — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:45:00 -0700

Celebrity moms face the same challenges all of us do. Actress and former model Denise Richards is a single mother to three daughters -- Sam, 8, and Lola, 6 -- plus baby Eloise, who she adopted last year. Richards recently talked to SheKnows about motherhood, family time, her partnership with Totino's and a whole lot more.

Celebrities who became parents through adoption

Kim Grundy — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:01:00 -0700

We were thrilled to find out Charlize Theron just adopted a baby boy named Jackson -- and it got us thinking about other celebrities who became moms and dads through adoption. We immediately think of Angelina Jolie and her adopted children, but did you know Sharon Stone has two adopted sons? Diane Keaton became a single mom at age 50 when she adopted two kids, Duke and Dexter. Check out our list of more celebrities who are parents through adoption.

Adoption baby name tips: Birth name dilemmas and more

Kim Grundy — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Finding the right name when you are adopting a child takes special thought and consideration. Should you change the birth name, keep it or switch it to a middle name? How can you find a name that helps your child feel connected to his new family, without taking away the connection to their birth culture? We talked to adoptive parents, as well as adoption professionals to help answer these questions and more.

Mom story: I fought to adopt my foster son

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 -0800

Alison Sherman, 47, of Toledo, Ohio, endured fertility issues and invasive medical procedures but her greatest struggle didn’t come until she wanted to adopt. Read Alison’s story of hope.

Katherine Heigl always knew she'd adopt

Kori Ellis — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0800

In a recent interview with Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine, Katherine Heigl talked about how growing up with an adopted sister led the Grey's Anatomy star to adopt a child of her own.

Growing trend: Grandparents raising children

Naomi de la Torre — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:30:00 -0800

The statistics are startling. In the U.S. alone, more than 4.9 children are being raised by grandparents. Even more alarming, this number has more than doubled in the past 10 years. In her thought-provoking book, The Sacred Work of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Elaine K. Williams offers tools, suggestions and insights for parenting grandparents and other kinship caregivers.

Gifts ideas for adoptive parents

Kristin Bustamante — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:43:00 -0800

Baby shower and new baby gifts are predominantly focused on birth mothers and their children. Adoptive parents often find themselves trying to fit these gifts with their unique family stories and ultimately are left wanting. Here are a few of our top picks for gifts for adoptive parents and families. They beautifully acknowledge the adoptive journey, respect the child's heritage and embrace the new family that's been created. Plus, they're super cute!

Helping your adopted child bond to you

Laura Willard — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:00:00 -0700

The adoption process between a child and the adoptive parents is often lengthy and full of bumps in the road. During this time, most prospective parents dream of the day they are united with their new infant, toddler or child. Don't assume, however, that this new member of your family will attach to you instantly, especially in the case of international adoption, in which the child is not a newborn. And even in domestic infant adoption, attachment is not always immediate. With time, effort and understanding, however, you can help foster a healthy attachment for both you and your new child.

The Help star announces adoption plans

Kim Grundy — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:27:00 -0700

The Help star Viola Davis has announced that she and her husband are planning on adopting a baby.