If you internationaly adopted or are planning on internationaly adopting......?

Question

I was internationaly adopted from Africa as a baby, and so was my husband. We have two adopted children, not internationaly adopted though, and I'm pregnant with our first biological child.

However, I rememember that my parents did the bet they could to teach me about Uganda, the country I was adopted from. They flew me there so I could see how they lived and tried to make traditional foods from my home country. And I now really appriacate it because I'm glad I know my culture. However my husband's parents didn't bother. All he knew was that he was adopted from Nigeria and that both of his bio-paretns had died.

So that made me wonder if you internationaly adopted or are planning on internationaly adopting, did you/will you teach their kids about their culture? I know I will if I ever do(we're planning on internationaly adopting in a few years). Why or why not?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi Ariana,

We have recently adopted from Ethiopia.  We as a family are currently learning Amharic.  Our 2 yr old corrects us:)  I do have prayers and recipes that we say and use.  We also hope to travel back to Ethiopia every 2 yrs to see our daughters family.  We are continuing to educate ourselves about Ethiopian culture and holidays.  We feel this is extremely important to our daughter.  We want DD to feel proud of her culture because it is a part of who she is.

Your parents are wonderful role models for the rest of us aparents:)

Answer 2

We did not adopt, but my neighbor adopted 2 kids from Ethiopia and one from Haiti.  She takes great pains to teach her kids about the culture they come from and takes the kids there.  The kids have told me that they really appreciate it...they appreciate the fact that their mom (who never married) did not "erase" their past.

All the best to your family.

Answer 3

I think your parents did a wonderful job!  I would try to do much of what they did.  However, I'm interested in adopting from Sudan, which is a very dangerous place right now.  I think pride in one's culture is essential and I would do everything I could to help my child feel that sense of pride.  I'm also open to adoption from other African nations like Ethiopia.  It's just that what's been going on in Sudan has really been bothering me and I want to adopt anyway, so why not a child from Darfur?

Answer 4

Hi Ariana.

We adopted two school age sibings from Liberia a bit over two years ago.  We are fortunate that there is a large African immigrant/refugee population where we live, so we don't have to go very far for cultural support.  

The biggest challenge we face is that my children bear some emotional scars from the Liberian civil war and are sometimes very resistant to re-connecting with their culture of birth.  As parents, we try to keep the door open for our children, but also we don't want to force it when it gets to the point of where it makes our children uncomfortable.  We hope that with time, support, love and (when necessary) professional intervention, some of these issues will pass and our children will feel safe enough to be able to see the good in their homeland.  It's a delicate balance and we're feeling our way along as we go.  

We do want very much to make return trips to Liberia but when we bring it up with the children, they verbalize their fears and anxieties.  In their mind, America is safe and Liberia is not.  Again, when the children feel safe and secure enough, we are more than happy to make return trips to Liberia.

Answer 5

I think its important for an a-child to retain his heritage but unfortunately the reality is that many people that adopt internationally can't afford to do it. I think Paps that can't shouldn't be permitted to take a child out of their country.   I think going back every couple of years for 3-4 weeks at a time should be a stipulation.  I know many Ap's will give me the thumbs down but this is what most immigrants try to do for their children being raised in the states. I think Ap's should follow their lead, they know whats best when it comes to retaining ones heritage.

Answer 6

We adopted both of our son's from Korea. They are only 1 and 2 yrs old right now, so we haven't taken them to Korea yet, but do plan to go as a family when they are a little older.

We try to keep their culture as part of their lives as much as possible. So far, we attend Korean festivals, celebrate Korean holidays, go to Korean restaurants, have books, video and play music in Korean. We get together with other families that include children adopted from Korea, and with friends of ours who are Korean. We plan to start learning their native language together soon, and plan to attend a family Korean culture camp next year.

It sounds like your parents did a great job teaching you about your culture! I really hope our children continue to be interested in theirs as they get older, and we can enjoy Korean culture as a family.