[jameyevans]

What do you say when someone makes a comment about your child obviously being different(racial slurs or just a unexpected comment)?

[tigger44]

I would suggest going to www.adoptionlearningpartners.org, and taking some of their free online classes. I think it's "Conspicuous Adoption:..." that covers this very thing. Even some of the other courses give some guidance about this. It's important to learn how to handle the remarks in a way that will protect your child's sensitive feelings, and also teach your child how to respond to people when he/she is not with you.

[Linny]

The previous poster has given some good advice...but I would also add this:

Being the momma to two Asian babies (now grown).....and two AA babies (still pre-schoolers)....we've learned to let many of these comments 'slide off our backs'. It's true that you should make your child aware that not everyone is going to accept the racial differences within your family (dh and I are 'seemingly caucasian').......but it's also a truth that a couple should be ready for this type of stupidity before they adopt transracially.
It's important that no matter what the skin color, your child knows that at the end of the day, it is you they can come to, can relate to, can talk to...etc. If a couple has any hesitation in parenting a child/baby that is different from their own skin type, then I would strongly suggest that they re-evaluate that possible choice. Because, in the end, it's nice to think that society will accept a transracial family in all circumstances; but the fact remains that in some places, society will be cruel, unthinking, and stupid.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Linny