Deborah H. Johnson

Deborah H. Johnson is an adoptee from South Korea and a Minneapolis-based social worker with 25 years of experience working with adoptive families. She is the founder of Kindred Journeys International, a heritage travel company. Find her on Facebook at The Fishbowl Experience (https://www.facebook.com/The-Fishbowl-Experience-821709627949393).

URL: http://www.kindredjourneysinternational.com/Home_Page.html

Author Archives: Deborah H. Johnson

Children may be making assumptions about culture in your child's classroom

Responding to Assumptions About Culture

Deborah H. Johnson - May 21, 2015 - Culture & Heritage, Transracial

Responding to Assumptions About Culture

Deborah H. Johnson - May 21, 2015 - Culture & Heritage, Transracial

Children at my daughter’s school assume she speaks Spanish, even though she was raised in an English-speaking family. What can we do?

Ask AF: Comments on Beauty

Deborah H. Johnson - May 19, 2015 - Expert Q&A, Racial Identity, Transracial

An adoptive parent asks AF’s expert for help with how to respond when strangers make comments about her children’s appearances.

Korean couple preparing for an adoptive wedding

Meeting the In-Laws

Deborah H. Johnson - April 18, 2015 - Conspicuous Families, Transracial

Our Korean-born daughter is engaged to a Korean man. We’re thrilled — but how do we discuss adoption with his family?

The Elephant in the Room: Handling Racism

Deborah H. Johnson - March 31, 2015 - Racial Identity, Transracial

We want to start teaching our daughter about racism early on, but we have no idea where to start.

“Positive” Stereotypes

Deborah H. Johnson - February 10, 2015 - Racial Identity, Transracial

Our daughter, adopted from China, isn’t getting the help she needs in math class. What can we do?

When families through transracial adoption are asked questions by adults of the child's race

Comments from Adults of Your Child’s Race

Deborah H. Johnson - December 18, 2014 - Racial Identity, Transracial

When you’re raising a child of another race, you may find that adults of that race approach you with questions or comments. AF’s transracial adoption expert explains what you can say.

Ask AF: Teen Friendships

Deborah H. Johnson - June 26, 2014 - Expert Q&A, Racial Identity, Transracial

Answers to your parenting questions.

Racial stereotypes are everywhere — but they can be overcome

Dealing with Stereotypes

Deborah H. Johnson - June 26, 2014 - Racial Identity, Transracial

When our children get hit with negative — or positive — labels, it robs them of who they really are.

Finding Role Models of Your Child’s Race

Deborah H. Johnson - June 26, 2014 - Racial Identity, Transracial

Answers to your parenting questions.

When to Let Kids Handle Racism On their Own

Deborah H. Johnson - June 26, 2014 - Racial Identity, Transracial

Answers to your parenting questions.

AF Reviews: Long Wait for Home

Deborah H. Johnson - October 1, 2008 - Culture & Heritage, Transracial

A film portraying the lives of birth parents in China.

Ask AF: When Preschoolers Ask About Race

Deborah H. Johnson - June 1, 2007 - Expert Q&A, Racial Identity, Transracial

Answers to your parenting questions.

Balancing cultural activities with the rest of your family routine

Balancing Cultural Activities in the Family Routine

Deborah H. Johnson - June 1, 2007 - Culture & Heritage, Racial Identity, Transracial

If your child seems more interested in soccer than culture camp, don’t panic.

Ask AF: Clearly Non-Identical Twins

Deborah H. Johnson - June 1, 2007 - Expert Q&A, Talking, Talking to Others

Parents who adopted non-identical twins who have different skin tones wonder how to hand comments about adoption and race. Deborah Johnson offers advice on responding.

Top