[Sys Engineer]

My wife and I are planning an adoption from China. My wife is of hispanic (Spanish & American Indian) and I am Italian American. We live in the Northern Virginia area which is multi-cultural. We were wondering if anyone who is in a similar situation could offer some insight as what to expect.

[SofiasMom]

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[maureen3770]

I don't think that you'll have any problems either... We all will face situations that are different than we would if we only had biological children, but you control how that affects your family. Some people are genuinely curious and interested in your family and others may be disapproving, rude, etc. Dealing with people like this is really no different than many other situations we face, but it is more sensitive. It is a good idea to think about how you would respond to both situations so that you're not caught off guard, but it will really only be problematic if you allow it to be. That's my humble opinion anyway!

Good luck on your journey!!

[Momof2boysinOH]

No problems at all. I have ancestors from Spain, Colombia, and Puerto Rico and my dh is Portuguese. We are adopting a 2-year-old girl from China. Some people assume we should adopt from Guatemala because I speak Spanish, but we felt drawn to China.

Good luck!

[cungar]

I am white, my wife is Filipino and we are adopting a Chinese girl. I live in Southern California and I have never in the 14 years we've been married experienced even a hint of racism anywhere we've traveled in the US or abroad. I'm not anticipating it will be a problem when we get Keira.

[chinagirl2006]

I'm white & my DH is Filipino. I think having a multi cultural family will help her fit in. DH has had some racial things happen in his past, so I think it'll help our daughter if she has anything happen. I don't know my bio dad, so I'm hoping I can help her with those type of issues.

[Trace7]

I'm white, my DH is 1/4 Aleutian Indian (Eskimo), my SIL is Japanese, my niece is half-Japanese, my BIL is 1/4 Lebanese, etc. I think our Chinese baby will fit right into our family, and yours will fit right into yours

[SofiasMom]

I guess I should have asked for clarification. Are you asking if China will have an issue or if you'll have an issue in the US? My response will be totally different if you meant the US.

[Sys Engineer]

Sophias Mom,
In the US.

Thanks

[Sys Engineer]

Thanks Maureen.

[SofiasMom]

then my answer is a lot more complicated and long! I'll try to keep it short. You'll have people come up to you ask you alot of rude questions or simply state their opinion because they see that you've adopted from a foreign country. Your daughter might/might not have issues as she grows up. It might be good to read or talk to adult adoptees. I don't mean to discourage you, but to be aware of the issues. there's lots of good info on IA.

[TaraL]

Actually once everyone on this list who is not Chinese adopts they will be a multi-cultural, interracial family. The way I see it any multi-racial family is going to deal with racial issues. Heck, these days any family at all has issues to deal with. I believe that you are giving your daughter an advantage that perhaps my dh and I can't. You are already a multi-racial family which I think is very beneficial for your future daughter. You will be able to add insight much better than I could on racial issues and perhaps your daughter may have an easier time dealing with the racial issues since her parents are not the same race either.

Good luck to you.

[Shelley]

We live in a not so culturally diverse area of NW Fl,and we are a multiracial family. DH, myself and our 4 bio sons are caucasian and one daughter is from Korea and the other from CHina. Granted the girls look similar but are different nationalities. I do get asked if they are twins, they are just under a yr apart. Most people are curious and ask questions and while we've had a few very rude questions; such as "Is the market better in Korea?" regarding adoption and "Was ya oncet married to a oriental?" I really believe the people didn't mean to be rude, they were just curious and didn't know how to ask.
Most of the time we get more comments and funny looks on our family size, we have 6 children, rather than the difference in skin color.
The one thing we had to learn was when to try and educate and when to just smile and go on about our business and also when to put someone in their place. The latter is a last resort as no one likes to likes to be humiliated. I think it's important for our girls to see us handle questions in a kind and caring or at least civil way. Believe me sometimes it's not easy to be civil, but I always try to remember that little pitchers have big ears and listen to every thing I say, especially when I don't want them to hear.
As someone else suggested practice what it is you're going to say, I would just add practice it like your child is standing right next to you.
That doesn't mean you should let people get away with cruel or intentional rude remarks. You will be able to figure our rather quickly when someone is genuinely curious of if someone is being rude.
One good response is "Why do you ask?" To whatever the question is, be it "How much did she cost?" we've had that one, "Why international adoption?" etc... You don't have to give strangers your life story. I think that was my biggest problem, I felt like I "Owed" people an explanation, and I didn't owe them squat.
Sorry to be so long, I think things will work out great for you and your family. Goodluck SHelley

[vivismom]

My husband is from Mexico, and we speak Spanish at home. We are in the process of adopting from China and in the future would like to adopt from Ethiopia. I think it's great that you've decided to adopt!

[intladoptionblog]

The world can be a small place when put together in a family.
I was born in the US. My father was of English extraction/ my mother, Portuguese.
My husband was born in England to a Brit mom and a Seychellois dad.
We now live in Seychelles with our kids who were born in Cambodia.
The OP asked for ideas of what to expect...
I'd say: big smiles and a whole lot of happiness.