Honoring Cultural & Racial Differences with an Adopted or Foster Child

Our adopted and foster kiddos come to us with a story that has already begun. No matter what age they come to their family. And…it’s our job as adoptive and foster parents to honor their story. Their WHOLE story.

Many kiddos come to a family of a culture or race different from their own. And just as important it is to honor their story, we also need to honor their culture and their race.

My girls came from Russia. Honoring their culture has been important to me as their mom. Having Russian storybooks. Russian food. Russian artwork. Russian music. I want my girls to know I honor their whole story.

While there have been times they didn’t want to be from a different culture and just wanted to be part of our family, I have shown them that their WHOLE story matters. It is part of who they are.

The other night in CONNECT, we were talking all about honoring cultural and racial differences within an adoptive or foster family.

Our guest speaker, Rachel Garlinghouse, is a mom of four children, all of whom were adopted domestically and transracially at birth.  Her decade's worth of experience has been shared on CNN, NPR, MSNBC, and CBS, and she's reached millions of readers with her articles on race, adoption, and health.  She is the author of six books, including The Hopeful Mom's Guide to Adoption:  The Wit and Wisdom You Need for the Journey.  Rachel is a woman of faith, type 1 diabetic, and breast cancer survivor who loves French fries, kitchen dance parties, and rocking a top knot.  Rachel and her husband of fifteen years live with their children just outside St. Louis. Keep up with their family's adventures on their blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.  

As you go forward, find ways to honor your child’s culture. Your child’s race. Your child’s past. Your child’s story. His WHOLE story!

P.S. If you'd like to join us in the group, we'd love to have you. Click here for more info and to sign up.