Adoption, Fostering & Surrogacy

On the blog

Nesting 101: How to Prep for Baby (Without Losing Your Mind)

Phoebe Corcoran

What is a Surrogate? All You Need to Know

Cassidy Parker

What is Gotcha Day in Adoption?

Team Peanut

From the community

Recent discussions

Bonding with dad

Hi, is anyone one else struggling to get the baby to bond with dad? They were fine when he was on paternity leave, but now she just won’t settle on him at all, and starts crying as soon as he holds her, which is heartbreaking.

She’s won’t settle on anyone really, only mummy will do.

If you’re experiencing / experienced this, any recommendations on what can get done? Will it get better with time?

Question to everyone but specifically for people with darker skin tones. How would you like parents to talk to their kids if the child mentioned your skin color?

Not in any sort of bad way. But like I have two toddlers the younger one is learning colors. We had a pest control guy come and he had a black truck he is also a black guy so my daughter recognized it but that’s it. I’d like to know how you guys would appreciate me talk to her about it or acknowledging that yes he is a different color but to one day not be rude about it. Something like that. Please let me know if this doesn’t make sense. It wasn’t the first time she’s seen a person of color but because she was talking about the truck that’s why it was brought up. So now do I just go yeah he is black isn’t that cool? Or what do you think?

10mo doesn’t like boiled egg

Any advice?

Only child guilt - looking for advice

I’m really torn about whether to have another child or stay a family of three (my son is 3 years old, nearly 4).

We currently have one child and are comfortable financially, and our home/lifestyle works well as it is. I’ve always leaned towards one child, especially after a difficult birth experience, and I’m only just feeling like myself again.

But lately I’ve been feeling a lot of guilt and doubt, mainly from seeing content about siblings. I worry my son might miss out on having a sibling, even though he has friends and social opportunities.

At the same time, I know having another baby would mean big changes — less time for my son, tighter finances, career impact, and less flexibility.

I can imagine both lives, which is why I feel stuck. Has anyone else been in this position deciding whether to stop at one? How did you decide, and did you regret it either way?

Lonely mom, trying to find her place

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one that struggles with this...
I've changed a lot since becoming a mom. I've become closer to God and I'm also very cautious on what my son consumes. For example just because my son wants to eat cookies and candy means he's going to eat it. He also can't watch just anything on tv. It usually has to be educational and for a small amount of time.
Whenever I go out and meet new parents, I find it so difficult to click with them because they are the complete opposite from me, especially when it comes to how they raise their kids. Part of me doesn't even care if we don't have much in common, what's more important is what they allow or don't allow their children to do. Usually if I see their children have bad behavior, I just take my son and leave.
The main reason I do this is because I put a lot of effort on raising my son and I don't say this to offend anyone.
Does anyone else struggle with this? Do you still have hope you will find other parents and children that align with your teachings?

Hypothetical...

If you were picking up your child (4-6yo) from school, and you overheard a group of moms talking about a black child saying "shes one of the good ones".

I have a 10 month old daughter & her family on both sides don’t like each other

She’s getting christened on the 20th … and my parents are divorced and both of them want to come. however , they don’t get along with each other. My daughter‘s father‘s side of the family doesn’t like my mom. I’m worried that the christening will be chaotic for me . My daughters fathers side of the family is trying to control the entire event and i feel like my voice isn’t being heard . planning events for her is stressful for me because i want both sides of the family to be involved and i don’t want anyone to feel left out but they both talk a lot about the other side , which leaves me in the middle . any advice ? Her 1st birthday is coming up in july and i honestly couldn’t even imagine what that’s going to look like .

Deportation

My boyfriend being deported is the worst thing ever, especially when we have our one year old and one on the way :( my biggest fear came true, I’m so hurt that I have to give birth alone :(

Grandparents helping out

How much do grandparents help out?
Or do they not offer at all?
Interested in working parents, do they help in reducing days baby/child needs to be in nursery? Kids school holidays etc?

Do people think the boomer generation have the wrong reputation in not wanting to help with grandkids?

Does anyone know of a good book that speaks about adoption

We have no adopted children but my son's cousins are adopted, my mom was, and my best friend's son.
Recently my 4 year old has been asking questions so I lightly talked about it with him, but I'm looking for more resources so I can make sure I'm phrasing everything correctly.

🗓️ Better Blends: 5 Mistakes most parents make when blending a family

RESCHEDULED!!!!
Sorry for the tech issues with the last class, so we’re doing it again… live on Zoom!

Are you dealing with this?

Kids are resilient. They’ll be fine.”

Maybe.

But blended families don’t succeed because everyone just figures it out.

They succeed because parents lead with intention.

The truth is, many blended families struggle with loyalty conflicts, parenting differences, relationship stress, and unrealistic expectations, and most of us were never taught how to handle any of it.

The good news?
These are skills you can learn.

Join me Sunday 6/14 at 2pm ET
for this FREE live webinar and learn the 5 mistakes that quietly break blended families and what to do instead.

Because hope is not a strategy.

❤️ Register free but required, zoom link sent after registration along with your free gift… go to Better-Blends.com

Confirm attendance with your DM to me please
So we have room for all. Limited at 100

Join us on Zoom here… (no more screw ups) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6036352164?omn=89029441549

#BlendedFamily #StepParent #CoParenting

Deployment

When your other half is deployed do they send money back for your child/children?

Like he gives one of his children money as she’s with mam most times anyways, but I’m just curious as to weather other people get “child maintainence ” while there deployed even though your still together?

Do you think girls are "naturally" more caring or do you think society has shaped them to be that way?

I personally think that girls have historically been more likely to hang around and care for aging parents because they're raised with the expectation that this is "what women do" and it's not a "manly" trait. A certain amount will be down to some natural differences but it's the same way all the expectations have historically been on women to care for children....

(Inspired by a previous post)

Why is it that when some people hear that a parent is 1 and done, they instantly say "poor kid, going to grow up so lonely"

Then the pitch that you, a complete stranger, can change our minds by telling us how deeply alone they will be, how selfish it is, or how neglectful or abusive we are.

Not all siblings get along. Chosen families are a wonderful thing. Really? In this economy? And being a child who was planned for when not deeply wanted just to be a human play thing for the kid you already have sounds cruel. My Sister's Keeper vibes.

Officially gotten this lecture once too many and ready to scream. I cant even get the emissions in my car tested without a strange man calling me a selfish and mean mother for not reproducing enough for his liking.

2nd Baby

Can I have honest experiences on how people found tranitioning from 1 to 2 children.

Have you noticed a difference in parenting advise & style between the UK & the US

Interested to hear your observations…

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