Adoption has been a blessing to many of my friends and some relatives, so after the jump I’ve posted ten links to celebrate National Adoption Month.

Any relevant comments are welcome in this thread. By the way, did you know that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack was adopted as a baby in Pennsylvania?

The Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association provides resources for families here.

The National Adoption Day website debunks myths about foster care adoption here. November 22 is considered National Adoption Day, “a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families.”

Adoptive Families magazine has tons of resources for parents, including guidelines on how to talk to children of various ages about adoption.

Former Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus “had a major positive impact” on Iowa children in foster care by enacting a “one judge/one child” policy during the last decade.

The Iowa Republican blog publisher Craig Robinson posted a moving, personal essay about his and his wife’s journey to adopting their baby Luke.

When Juliette Oase was a small child, her mother was murdered. She tells her story of growing up with the aunt and uncle who adopted her.

The National Infertility Association shared Cristal Lake-Sanders’s essay on “Preparing for Parenthood via Adoption.” Scroll down for a suggested reading list.

Lysa Parker discusses how parents can help develop emotional attachments in adopted children.

Dr. Joshua D. Sparrow, a child psychiatrist, explains why the holiday season can be particularly stressful for foster and adopted children, and has good advice for parents.

Heather Forbes, a licensed social worker who herself adopted children with attachment issues, provides support through the Beyond Consequences Institute to parents of children exhibiting severe behaviors.

Understanding the normal range of behavior for any given age is critically important, regardless of the path to becoming a parent. We can’t set limits effectively if we are hampered by unrealistic expectations. So here are two bonus parenting links that aren’t specific to the adoption experience.

Dr. Laura Markham is a child psychologist, and for my money her website is the all-around best online parenting resource, whatever your child’s age or your family’s circumstances.

The Center for Parenting Education publishes an excellent series of books on child development and lists typical characteristics for every age on its website.