Some blurbs from our Adoption Learning Partners course work; we need to complete 10 hours of online courses for Colombia since it is a HAGUE country. Food for thought.
"Consider the spotlight. Children in conspicuous families often feel like a spotlight is shining on them when intrusive questions are asked. When you respond, make sure that whatever you say affirms both your child and your family as a whole. That will take the spotlight off the child and put it on the family, where it belongs.
It means that your family stands out.
It means that your family is different.
It means that, because of racial differences, your child's adoption is obvious, public, and visible.
It means that you can't deal with issues of adoption when you choose to, but whenever comments, questions or odd looks are sent in your direction."
Some questions could be "Is that your real child or are they real siblings?; How much did you pay for them?; That's so nice of you; Was their mother one of those crackheads?"
How are we going to respond to these people? Sarcasm, humor or education. How are our children going to feel when they hear others asking these questions? How do we respond to ensure we are not singling out the babes and responding as a unit; one family? Is it ignorance and/or lack of social awareness?
Hi guys, Our neighbor here in Poland is an artist and did her thesis (is that what it is called in art school?) on visual effects of/with regards to trans-racial adoption. Her kids are from China and Guatemala....super interesting perspective on the "pictures" of your family, etc.
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