The COVID‐19 pandemic presents unforeseen challenges to families. This mixed‐methods study aimed to address how 89 adoptive parents (lesbian, gay, heterosexual) with school‐age children are navigating a major public health crisis with social, economic, and mental health consequences. Specifically of interest were adoptive parents' worries and concerns; work–family arrangements; and mental, physical, and relational health, in the context of the pandemic and associated quarantine. Findings revealed that 70% of participants had changed work situations, with most newly working from home just as their children initiated remote homeschooling. The division of labor was rarely a source of stress, although the parent who was more involved in homeschooling sometimes experienced resentment. Concerns related to the pandemic included worries about health and children's emotional well‐being and global concerns such as the national economy. Almost half reported declines in mental health (e.g., due to the stress of working and homeschooling), with lesbians being significantly more likely than others to report declines. Declines in physical health were rarer (less than 20%), with more than a quarter reporting improvements (e.g., due to increased exercise). Few reported declines in relationship quality, although almost a quarter reported declines in intimacy. Findings have implications for family and health professionals.

Research exploring health behaviors and outcomes among sexual minorities has yet to include same-sex parents, who face additional stressors associated with parenthood. This exploratory study investigates self-reported health behaviors (regular exercise, sleep, and alcohol use) and outcomes (chronic health conditions, depression, and overall health) among 141 parents in same-sex couples (N ϭ 83 families) with adopted school-age children. Several predictors were investigated, including parent gender, number of children, parenting stress, marital status, and internalized homophobia (IH), controlling for education, income, and work hours. Findings showed that parenting stress and IH were most commonly associated (p Ͻ .05) with health behaviors and outcomes, but functioned differently in women and men. Women with high stress had greater odds of exercising Ն3 days a week, but women with high IH had lower odds of exercising that much; vice versa in men. Additional findings among men were greater odds of depression than women; and, men with low IH more often slept Ͻ7 h a week and reported greater alcohol intake than those with high IH. Among parents generally, those with multiple children and those who were unmarried had lower odds of exercising Ն3 days a week, while those with high stress had greater odds of depression and of a chronic health condition. This study highlights the many areas requiring further research in the field of same-sex parent health. Public Significance Statement Lesbian and gay parents are exposed to minority stress and parenting stress, which may have implications for their health behaviors and outcomes. The findings of this exploratory study show that parenting stress and internalized homophobia were often associated with parents' health behaviors and outcomes, but functioned differently in women and men. Additional findings of interest were that gay male parents were at greater odds of depression than lesbian mothers; and, among parents generally, those with multiple children and those who were unmarried were less likely to exercise, and those with high stress were more likely to be depressed and to have a chronic health condition.

Objective This mixed‐methods exploratory study sought to address the experiences of 89 adoptive parents (heterosexual, lesbian, and gay) in the United States with school‐age children in relation to the transition to remote schooling and their children's mental health during the early part of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background The transition to remote schooling and associated confinement during the COVID‐19 pandemic presents challenges for families, particularly when children are struggling with mental health and learning challenges. Methods Data were collected via an online survey between May and June 2020. Before the pandemic, almost half of the children received special education services. Results Findings revealed that although a minority of children were doing well with remote schooling, the majority were struggling due to lack of motivation and an inability to work independently. Some parents voiced challenges with teacher communication and inconsistencies across classes and were overwhelmed by the demands of their new role as proctor/teacher. Some were dissatisfied with how children's school services had been implemented and noted difficulties with the online format of various services (e.g., therapy was less engaging). Regarding children's mental health, half of parents said it had stayed the same, one third said it had worsened, and the remainder said it had improved. The mental health of children adopted via foster care seemed to have benefited from the additional time spent at home. Yet most children were described as struggling in part due to social isolation and loss of routine, which manifested in a variety of ways, including anxiety, schoolwork avoidance, and boundary testing. Most parents tried to show patience, tolerance, and reassurance, but more than one third reported stress and frustration associated with not knowing how to best support their children. Conclusion The transition to remote schooling during COVID‐19 may be especially challenging for adoptive families and other families whose children have higher levels of need. Implications Findings have implications for parents, teachers, school social workers and psychologists, and other professionals who work with children and families.

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