Sam’s hair is close-cut and precisely edged. Looking at it from any angle, you can see that this child’s mother knows how to care for his hair. This has not always been the case.
Ask AF: On Race and Beauty
Answers to your parenting questions.
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“Learning to Care for My Daughters’ Hair”
I felt frustrated, thinking I'd never learn how to cornrow. Now, I show others how to care for tight, curly hair.
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Going Camping
Three camp options offer unique ways to explore your childs roots and emerging identity during the summer months.
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“Homeward Bound”
Retracing a journey I had made 23 years earlier inspired unforeseen emotions about my past, and about one child's future.
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“Martin Luther King’s Dream Come True?”
When my son was harassed by a classmate for his race, I knew I only had a second to act.
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“My Hot Rollers, My Daughter, Myself”
I've always had my own issues with hair. But when my daughter came along, my perceptions had to change.
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Ask AF: How Do We Find Role Models Who Share Our Child’s Race?
We’re white and our son is black. I’m ashamed to admit that we do not have any black relatives or friends. Will it seem offensive and shallow if I try to befriend someone simply because they are black?
View the Parenting After Transracial Adoption Webinar Replay
View the replay of a webinar with Beth Hall to learn about parenting after transracial adoption and hear answers to commonly asked questions from adoptive parents.
Raising a Child of Color in America — While White
Our country is far from a “post-racial” society, as this last year has demonstrated. How can you ensure that your child will grow up feeling safe, secure in his identity, and close to your family? Commit to calling out racism and fighting injustice wherever you see it.
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Ask AF: Comments on Beauty
An adoptive parent asks AF’s expert for help with how to respond when strangers make comments about her children’s appearances.
Ask AF: Affirming Belonging
An adoptive parent whose young child realized her skin color was different asks AF's expert for help with talking about race and belonging in a blended family.
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The Elephant in the Room: Handling Racism
We want to start teaching our daughter about racism early on, but we have no idea where to start.
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Ask AF: Honoring a Birth Name
Adoptive parents who adopted their child internationally from Korea wonder how best to honor her birth name when the name has already been legally changed.
“Positive” Stereotypes
Our daughter, adopted from China, isn't getting the help she needs in math class. What can we do?
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Q&A with Maggie Jones About Adult Adoptees Who Move Back to South Korea
We spoke with Maggie Jones about her NYT article on the wave of adult adoptees who are moving back to South Korea—how she came to write this piece, and the overwhelming response she's received.
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View the Transracial Adoption Webinar Replay
View the replay of a webinar with Beth Hall, co-author of Inside Transracial Adoption, to learn what parents need to know about talking to kids about race and standing up against racism.
Comments from Adults of Your Child’s Race
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.
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Inconspicuous Transracial Adoption: “She Looks as White as You”
Our family doesn’t provoke many questions—is it still our responsibility to offer answers?
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“Doing Téa’s Hair”
I’d never thought much about hair care. But as the white mother of a black daughter, I learned to braid, twist, clip — and take every opportunity to instill my little girl with pride.
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