[lilybugs]

My adopted son is biracial. He has beautiful dark tan skin. We are all pasty white, lol. He's getting upset that the kids at school keep asking him why his family is so white and he's not. He told a few he was adopted and they made fun of him. He is 13. Any suggestions on how to handle this tactfully?
Thank you!
Susan

[joskids]

Because your son is 13, he has a say-so in how this is handled. I wonder if he would agree to you coming to school and giving a "class" on what adoption means. We've been lucky that our children (black and biracial) go to a very diverse school and have contact with children of many cultures and colors and have other adopted children in their classes. Yes, I've had some kids stare if I walk into my childrens' classrooms and I can just see the wheels spinning that my children don't look like me. I've smiled and said "Brandon looks just like me, doesn't he?". But they all seem to figure things out and we keep the dialogue going at home so that if a difficult situation comes up, we are aware of it (hopefully). Children making fun of other children need to be taught -- by their parents. But there are all types out there. So maybe it's your job, in this case, to do the teaching, for your son's sake.

Josie

[lilybugs]

Thanks for the advice and sharing your tactics. I don't think he'd want me to come to school as he is mentally ill and paranoia is a HUGE prob for him.
i tell him to just handle it how he feels comfortable, telling the person it's not their business or saying that he is adopted and proud of it. He's in a very loving family and has a special bond with my mom as she was adopted too...but within her own family.
Thanks again!