Description
Book SynopsisAn essential resource for transracially adoptive parents and the professionals who serve them, this book offers practical strategies for helping a transracially adopted child through the challenges he or she may face.Anchored in a qualitative study of parents who have adopted children identified as being of a different race, this book draws from real-life experiences to raise and respond to questions that arise before, during, and after transracial adoption. Its goal: to help adoptive parents (and child welfare professionals) understand the underlying racial challenges in a transracial adoption so they can help their children cope.The book addresses questions from the obviousfor example, how to respond to comments from family and community membersto the practicalhow a Caucasian mother can learn to help her African American daughter groom her hair. Topics include parental understanding of race while growing up, parental understanding of the challenges within the community, and communica
Trade ReviewThis book offers insight and strategies for parents to help them prepare their children and their family for the world as it exists. Beyond parents, this book is an indispensable resource for professionals working with TRA families. This book will help clinicians working with TRA children or parents continue this important dialogue. * PsycCRITIQUES *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: In Her Voice: Michelle Chapter 2: I Never Thought about Race Growing Up Chapter 3: Dealing with Race in the Extended Family and Community Chapter 4: Hair as a Metaphor: Entering into the Culture of Your Child Chapter 5: In His Voice: Kevin Chapter 6: Parenting between Cultures: Important Considerations for Parents Chapter 7: Parenting a Transracially Adopted Child with a History of Trauma Chapter 8: Adoption Communication within the Transracial Adoptive Family Chapter 9: In Her Voice: Angela Chapter 10: Conversations with Practitioners: What Adoption Professionals Want Parents to Consider Appendix: Resources for Further Information About the Authors and Contributors Index
