Braids, Hoodies, And Driving While Black – The Usual Stuff That All White Parents Deal With…

I said to Lizzie, "We could get your hair braided.  Then we wouldn't have to re-do it every morning."  And, then I referenced a little girl in her class so she'd know what I meant by braided.    "No!  I don't want my hair like hers."    This didn't please me since I really love … Continue reading Braids, Hoodies, And Driving While Black – The Usual Stuff That All White Parents Deal With…

Teaching My Little Girl To Love Her Skin.

Lizzie is the only black child in her class.  She is one of two in the whole preschool.  Yeah, we clearly don’t live in the most diverse area.  I have struggled with whether we should relocate to a different part of town.  We have talked about it, but in the end it always comes down … Continue reading Teaching My Little Girl To Love Her Skin.

Mommy, Why Am I Brown?

As we were rushing out the door, the other morning, Antwan asked me why his skin was “brown.”  With no time to sit down and have a heart-to-heart, I said “Because you were born that way, your skin is beautiful.  Get your backpack.”  I made a mental note to come back to it later.  If I … Continue reading Mommy, Why Am I Brown?

Understanding Prejudice in Transracial Families

One thing that I have learned is that when you adopt transracially is that it's going to be different.  There are things that I have learned about what it might be like to be black and things that I've learned about being the mother of a black child.  I've learned that even the most well-intentioned person … Continue reading Understanding Prejudice in Transracial Families

Overcoming Racial Challenges in Adoption: A Personal Story

Adopting black children changes your perspective.  I find myself drawn to other black people now.  I also find myself saying things like "other black people" because I now think I am one. : )  I worry about race in a way that I didn't before.  I knew racism existed and I knew that I wasn't a racist.  But, … Continue reading Overcoming Racial Challenges in Adoption: A Personal Story