[mommy2008]

My husband and I are AA, our daughters are biological sisters and they are biracial (Latino/ AA and CC/AA). We want to instill a sense of pride and a diverse cultural awareness in them. We have been trying to find a local support group and some books about biracial parenting. In our research about parenting biracial children everything addresses issues for CC adopting biracial or international kids. It’s like there is an assumption that if a person is AA, adopting biracial kids that they understand all their needs, don’t deal with ignorance and are not looking for advice. Well, we don’t have all the answers, we do experience ignorance and we are looking for advice. When we are out with our girls, we get looks and sometimes awkward questions. A former church member once asked me, “What are they”. Before we brought our girls home, I shared their photo with a family friend, her comment was “They look too different, NEXT” (implying that we should keep looking). Please understand that we dealt with both issues and do not tolerate or ignore these types of behavior. If you have any information about support groups, books and advice that will be useful, please let us know.

[ncsingledad]

What part of NC are you located in?

[awaitingagirl]

Wow Mommy2008 thats really horrible that you have had to deal with people like that regarding your children. We are in NC too and I have no found many support groups for adopting out there unless you are internationally adopting. We are a CC couple and adopted a CC child so we really didnt have any stares because she really looks like us. However, we have had the "what is she" thinking maybe got her from Russia or something like that.
We have 2 bio sons before her so raising her like them was just natural. There is no handbook whether you adopt or have them biologically. Its all a mystery.
As far as ignorance it will always be all around you. No matter how many support groups or books you read. It will be there. To be honest there isn't an abundance of smart people in this world. I know Im not much help, but Im here

[ocracoke]

mommy2008,

There is a triangle group for families that have many different cultures or races in their family. It is not adoption specific although some of the families have adopted. If you are interested I can find the contact information for you.

Samantha

[makarios79]

Originally Posted by mommy2008

It’s like there is an assumption that if a person is AA, adopting biracial kids that they understand all their needs, don’t deal with ignorance and are not looking for advice. Well, we don’t have all the answers, we do experience ignorance and we are looking for advice. When we are out with our girls, we get looks and sometimes awkward questions. A former church member once asked me, “What are they”. Before we brought our girls home, I shared their photo with a family friend, her comment was “They look too different, NEXT” (implying that we should keep looking). Please understand that we dealt with both issues and do not tolerate or ignore these types of behavior.

I don't live in NC, so I can't offer much help on a support group there... But I'm an AA single mother of 2 biracial boys. My youngest has a lot of CC features....I ALWAYS get the "what are they questions" especially about my youngest son who has straight hair.

You are right people do assume that because you are AA with biracial children you don't deal with the same transracial/interracial adoption issues as other races, but that is most definitely not true.

MY EXPERIENCE is that most people don't consider it transracial/interracial adoption at all. But I beg to differ, especially with the comments, questions and stares I get everyday when I go in public.

I am very thankful that I have family, friends, church members, playgroups & neighbors of many races....

You may want to try these books:

Is That Your Child?: Mothers Talk about Rearing Biracial Children By Marion Kilson

From Black to Biracial: Transforming Racial Identity Among Americans
By Kathleen Odell Korgen

Raising Biracial Children
by Tracey A. Laszloffy

If you want to chat, please feel free to PM me...

[Sohmakun]

I know of a Yahoo group of AA parents who have adopted Asian children. You can PM me if you want to find out more. One of the members just finished their adoption from Vietnam and a few are looking into adopting from Kazakhstan. I know you are looking for families who have adopted bi-racial children but perhaps they can point you in the right direction.


On a side note, I have noticed more and more families like yours recently. Perhaps when your children are grown it will be more common to have people of color adopting transracially.

[Wisdom]

Originally Posted by mommy2008

If you have any information about support groups, books and advice that will be useful, please let us know.

You may want to call some of the local adoption agencies to find out if they know of any support groups for transracial families in your area. Even if there's no official support group, perhaps they can introduce you to another transracial family. I don't know if you used an agency for your adoption or not, but sometimes agencies have workshops you can attend. Maybe they have one on transracial adoption and you may meet other families there.

[mommy2008]

Hi, Thanks for responding to our post. We live in the Greensboro/High Point, North Carolina area.

[mommy2008]

Hi, I appreciate your response and if you are able to gather any information about the Triangle group that will be great. Thanks for helping.

[mommy2008]

Thank you so much for these book titles, they all sound very interesting. I was at the book store yesterday, looking for just the right book. Thanks for responding and I wish you and your kids the very best.

[mommy2008]

Thank you for your response to my post. If you have any more information please let me know. Thanks again.

[ncsingledad]

Originally Posted by mommy2008

Hi, Thanks for responding to our post. We live in the Greensboro/High Point, North Carolina area.

There are two support groups that meet in the Greensboro area, while they're not specific to racial issues, but you could certainly get input from other foster/adoptive parents.

More information here: Children's Home Society of North Carolina NC - Pregnancy Services / Foster Care / Adoption Services