The story of how one transracial family reinvented their holiday traditions.
“Do Fan Dances and Tea Ceremonies Really Teach Us Anything?”
The museum view of culture and heritage ignores the realities of life as a racial minority. But there is a middle ground.
Webinar Replay: Growing Up as a Transracial Adoptee
View the replay of this webinar with Deborah H. Johnson—on growing up as a transracial adoptee and what parents today need to know about talking about race and adoption, finding role models for their children, dealing with teasing, and more.
Ask AF: Feeling Bad About Being Different
Answers to your parenting questions.
Two Adoptees on Going “Home” to China, Again
After a birth country visit to China that was too much, too soon for my seven-year-old daughter, she and a friend returned on their own terms as teens. The trip helped them imagine what their lives might have been and explore their Chinese-American identities.
Ask AF: Cultural Connections
Answers to your parenting questions.
Ask AF: Explaining Poverty
Answers to your parenting questions.
“Visiting Our Daughter’s Orphanage”
One of the cold realities of adopting an older child from China is that she comes with a lot of questions, many of which you can’t answer.
“Music in His Genes”
My son craves the comfort of music the way other kids his age rely on their blankets.
Going Camping
Three camp options offer unique ways to explore your childs roots and emerging identity during the summer months.
“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.
Is Culture Camp for Us?
What will my child learn and talk about at camp? What would our family take away from a week attending together?
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?
“Who am I?” The Complex Quest of Adolescent Adoptees
Every teen is involved in the complicated process of forming an identity. For adoptees, the process has a few extra layers.
“My Rockin’ Ethiopian Sons”
When my husband and I dreamed of raising bilingual children, we had no idea that one of their languages would be rock and roll.
When Teens Explore Religion as Part of Their Identity
Teens have a lot of questions — including some about family religion.
Helping Your Child Say Goodbye
Strong connections to the past will allow your child to embrace the future.
“Journey Into Our Son’s Culture”
Visiting our son in the orphanage where he lived revealed the humbling truth that he’ll leave behind a lovely way of life.
“I Have Two Countries”
Emilio returned to Bolivia to meet his new sister — and gained a renewed connection to his birth country.
“Doing Téa’s Hair”
I’d never thought much about hair care. But as the white mother of a black daughter, I learned to braid, twist, clip — and take every opportunity to instill my little girl with pride.