adoption

"I couldn't love him any more if he'd been born to me."

"Sure, he was born in Korea, but he looks more and more like us every day!"

"We're color blind to the difference. She's our daughter FIRST and African-American SECOND."

These and similar comments are the often expressed sentiments of adoptive parents who love their children to the core. Unconditionally. As "their OWN." Most would do ANYTHING for their children. Now, will they read a book for (not TO) them?

INSIDE TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION allows readers a chance to get to know another aspect of their OWN transracially adopted child's experience by getting inside the heads and under the skin (or into the shoes) of children and young adults of color raised (in most cases) by Caucasian adoptive parents. For most of these adoptees, color blindness is a myth. Being "different" is a curse one day and a badge of honor the next. And while many adapt to and embrace the culture and lore of the families who love them, they also express a powerful need to find acceptance and identity within their birth culture.

Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall have created a "must read" book filled with wisdom and insight---and poignant anecdotes from those who have walked the walk and now share their stories. I still "love my children as much as if they'd been born to me," but I am reminded that my experience is not always theirs nor theirs, mine.

Whether a family is considering transracial adoption, or is well into the experience of creating a transracial family, this book is an essential resource. Not only have the authors lived the experience they describe, they have helped hundreds of prospective parents build families that work well. Not only do they tell you what to expect along the way--from deciding to adopt a child from another race, to bringing your child home, tracing the issues that arise as children grow to be teenagers and young adults--they also give helpful, specific suggestions about how to handle the challenges and reap the rewards of a mindful, enlightened approach to parenting.

This was the best book I read on transracial adoption. The authors not only are experts in the field but have experienced it personally. You should not adopt a child of another race without reading this book.