Cross Cultural Adoption: How To Answer Questions from Family, Friends & Community - Hardcover

"Where Is She From?" International adoption by American families has skyrocketed in the last decade, increasing by more than 300 percent since 1992. In the past three years alone, American families adopted nearly 60,000 children from other countries, and the rate of cross-border adoptions continues to grow. Domestic transracial adoptions also are on the rise. The family unit is becoming the new, scaled-down model for the "great American melting pot." All of these cross-cultural families engender questions, particularly from small children: "Who are her real parents? Where is she from?" If adults aren't careful, the answers can have devastating effects; if they are careful, the answers can lay a solid foundation for a developing wisdom about love, families, and relationships.

Where is she from?
How much did it cost?
Who are her real parents?

Families who adopt children from other countries are faced with myriad questions—from friends, coworkers, family members, classmates, and caretakers alike. If left unanswered, these questions can spawn misunderstanding and hurtful remarks capable of shattering a vulnerable child’s sense of belonging: "She’s not my real cousin! She’s Chinese!"

Drawing from their experiences as adoptive parents of foreign-born children, authors Caryn Abramowitz and Amy Coughlin give us Cross-Cultural Adoption, a unique guidebook to help relatives and friends of adoptive families address important questions before everyone gathers around the dinner table.

Inside, you’ll find:
· The Questions Kids Ask—Simple, age-specific answers to eighteen critical questions
· Do’s and Don’ts for Adults—Ten eye-opening rules that adoptive families want you to know
· Want to Learn About Her Birth Country?—Brief but informative introductions to the top ten countries from which adoption takes place
· Resources for Learning More About Adoption—Websites, publications, and organizations providing information about cross-cultural adoption

International adoption rates have increased by more than 300 percent in the last decade alone. Cross-Cultural Adoption responds to this changing face of the American family by providing you accessible answers and information on this often sensitive subject.

· Learn to talk to your kids about adoption without doing more harm than good
· Find out how her adoptive parents really feel when you say how "lucky" she is
· Explore the culture, history, and traditions of her birth country
· Learn to foster respect and compassion in your community and family with positive adoption language
· Discover the secrets to making her feel like a regular, happy kid

Cross-Cultural Adoption is an invaluable learning tool for anyone whose life is touched by international adoption. Whether you’re a parent or grandparent, a teacher or bus driver, a Little-League coach or Girl Scout Troop leader, you can make a difference. With support and understanding, you can let her know that no matter where she came from, she belongs.

"Where Is She From?"

International adoption by American families has skyrocketed in the last decade, increasing by more than 300 percent since 1992. In the past three years alone, American families adopted nearly 60,000 children from other countries, and the rate of cross-border adoptions continues to grow. Domestic transracial adoptions also are on the rise. The family unit is becoming the new, scaled-down model for the "great American melting pot."

All of these cross-cultural families engender questions, particularly from small children: "Who are her real parents? Where is she from?" If adults aren’t careful, the answers can have devastating effects; if they are careful, the answers can lay a solid foundation for a developing wisdom about love, families, and relationships.

Written by two adoptive mothers,Cross-Cultural Adoption responds to the changing face of American families by providing accessible and extremely useful information in response to some of the most common—and toughest—questions asked about cross-cultural adoption.

AMY COUGHLIN is an adoptive mom, a lawyer, teacher, and writer. She lives in Center City, Philadelphia with her husband, Rich, and their two daughters, Audrey and Natalie.

CARYN ABRAMOWITZ is a freelance writer and editor. She is a lawyer by trade and the author of many legal and other types of articles in a variety of publications. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Andy, and their daughter Chloe Skye.