Retracing a journey I had made 23 years earlier inspired unforeseen emotions about my past, and about one child’s future.
“Martin Luther King’s Dream Come True?”
When my son was harassed by a classmate for his race, I knew I only had a second to act.
“My Hot Rollers, My Daughter, Myself”
I’ve always had my own issues with hair. But when my daughter came along, my perceptions had to change.
Hooray for Heritage!
How do you honor your child’s origins? Readers share what they’ve done, from summer culture camps or taking homeland (or home state) trips, to everyday ways to reinforce ethnic pride.
Ask AF: How Do We Find Role Models Who Share Our Child’s Race?
We’re white and our son is black. I’m ashamed to admit that we do not have any black relatives or friends. Will it seem offensive and shallow if I try to befriend someone simply because they are black?
View the Parenting After Transracial Adoption Webinar Replay
View the replay of a webinar with Beth Hall to learn about parenting after transracial adoption and hear answers to commonly asked questions from adoptive parents.
Love Sees in Color
About a decade ago it was popular to say, “Love sees no color. I really don’t see that my kids are different.” I’m hoping we’ve moved away from that, because it’s just not true. We all notice differences, and, if we say we can’t, we’re denying something.
“A Family Commitment”
In this personal essay, one adoptive mother describes how her family learns about her daughter’s Chinese heritage at a school with other families.
Ask AF: “Hands Off His Hair, Please”
My son is African American. When we’re out, people frequently approach us, and want to touch his hair. Most seem to be well-meaning, but is this ever OK? What can I say?
Raising a Child of Color in America — While White
Our country is far from a “post-racial” society, as this last year has demonstrated. How can you ensure that your child will grow up feeling safe, secure in his identity, and close to your family? Commit to calling out racism and fighting injustice wherever you see it.
Responding to Assumptions About Culture
Children at my daughter’s school assume she speaks Spanish, even though she was raised in an English-speaking family. What can we do?
Ask AF: Comments on Beauty
An adoptive parent asks AF’s expert for help with how to respond when strangers make comments about her children’s appearances.
Ask AF: Affirming Belonging
An adoptive parent whose young child realized her skin color was different asks AF’s expert for help with talking about race and belonging in a blended family.
“Embracing Our Daughter’s Culture…at Dinner”
When we adopted our daughter from China, our appetites were insatiable. It started a family tradition of celebrating culture and heritage at dinner time.
Meeting the In-Laws
Our Korean-born daughter is engaged to a Korean man. We’re thrilled — but how do we discuss adoption with his family?
Digging to America, Chapter 1: The Night the Girls Arrived
AF is pleased to excerpt the first chapter of Digging to America — our top pick for summer reading.
The Elephant in the Room: Handling Racism
We want to start teaching our daughter about racism early on, but we have no idea where to start.
Ask AF: Honoring a Birth Name
Adoptive parents who adopted their child internationally from Korea wonder how best to honor her birth name when the name has already been legally changed.
Countdown to Summer
With vacation time approaching, many of us are wondering how we can use the time to celebrate adoption. What are your family’s plans?
“Did You Ever Mind It?”: On Race and Adoption
I tell prospective adoptive parents to take a good, hard look at their social circles, their neighborhoods, their churches, their communities and think about how those places and spaces will look and feel to their child.