Awhile back I read the book In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories by Rita J. Simon and Rhonda M. Roorda. The book interviews 24 African American or biracial adults who were adopted by white parents. As an adoptive parent I found the viewpoints in the book to be invaluable-- almost like a window into my kids' possible thoughts in the future.

Recently I had an opportunity to review a new book by the same authors -- In Their Parents’ Voices: Reflections on Raising Transracial Adoptees. This book shares more about the same 24 adoptees, this time from the point of view of their parents. Each chapter features a different family and begins by sharing some background information about the family before moving into a series of interview questions directed towards the parents.

I was expecting a lot of thoughtful analysis of what the parents had to say, so when I first thumbed through the book, I was a little disappointed that so much of it was simply in interview format. But once I got into it, I realized that just reading the words from the families left me free to form my own impressions of their experiences.

Though the kids overall have become successful adults, many of them struggled while growing up. As an adoptive mom, I felt sad to read about the struggles they had. At times I felt defensive. At other times I just felt worried. As various problems were discussed, I kept trying to soothe myself by saying, ‘well, my kids probably won’t have that issue because….’

But in the end, despite my attempts at denial, I was glad to have gotten a better idea of what my kids might be facing in the future. Whether it makes me worry or not, I think I will be better equipped to help my kids through their issues if I have an idea of what those who've gone before have faced. I think that both of these books are worthwhile reading for multicultural adoptive families.

Other books I recommend
There is No Me Without You
Attachment issues