[traceyk]

I am trying very hard to expose Drihan to children of races other than CC and I am having a hard time. I have tried the MOMs club with no luck. I have even enrolled us in laptime at the library that is in the city and she is still the only AA child. Even if I just go to the library on any given day she is still the only one. Where can I find other AA children???? ANY SUGGESTION IS WELCOME!!!

[joskids]

We have an interracial families group that we belong to. Although my husband is AA, we still think it's great being around others who are multiracial families, mostly CC families with adopted AA children. If there's not a similar group in your area, could you start one? We just get together once a month in a kid-friendly atmosphere, pot luck, and provide support to each other and fun for the kids. Also, church has been a great place for our children. We are Catholic but belong to a church in the city where most of the congregation is black. Our daughter is a praise-dancer and all of the children sing in the children's choir. It's been great for them. You might have to venture away from home but it's great for the entire family to learn to be more multi-cultura. Hope you find a group for Drihan and all of you.

Josie

[InionGrinn]

We live in a small town, very homogeneous unfortunately as well. My kids are part latino (DH Ecuadorian-American) so I want to expose them to the culture and peoples as well, we don't have many here, and the best places I have found are at parks/playgrounds in nearby areas that have more people of color and more of a mix of nationalities.

we've been to many different playgrounds in different areas and the kids really like it because its new and different and I love watching them play with all the new kids.

[Linny]

I know that in raising our first two babies, the homeschooling group we started was more 'culturally diverse' than the public school ever thought of being!
Years later, we have found that in raising our AA babies, a change in our church found us searching for those with an AA population. We found one that has many families who have adopted across racial lines; and from many countries, as well!
Otherwise, if this is something you couldn't do, then the suggestion of starting one, is a great one.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Linny

[traceyk]

We know of a great park with LOTS of children from all races in a city near us, however it happens to be the drug dealers favorite hangout too! There is another park in a different city I am going to swing by this week and check out. As for church, that is a great suggestion, however we are Buddhist I keep exposing her to it through her books, dolls and artwork so she isn't completely out of the loop here.

[joskimo]

Tracy,

Our newspaper always lists community events which includes community celebrations for NA, Asian, AA, and Latino communities. WE go to a lot of Philipino celebrations, not the same as exposing Hannah to the AA community, but our AA community is very small, so I am happy to see other races and not be raising her in an all CC world.

Our AA community isn't very active, as far as I can see they haave 2-3 activities a year, this year was 2 but one was not for children, so we went to just the one. I'm hoping as Hannah gets older we'll meet more families like ours.

p.s. you gotta give me your hair secret - I don't know if I've ever told you but I"m in complete envy of your daughter's hair. I just can't get Hannah's thick. I feel like the King Midas of bad hair - everytime I touch her hair more falls out!