As an adoptive mom to two Korean-born children, we get noticed. It must be the children—trust me, my dear husband and I were very good blenders before!

It is a rare day when we are out that I am not asked about my children in some way:
Oh, are they yours?
Those are some gorgeous children you have there. Are they adopted?
Are they REAL brother and sister? What isle did you get those on?
Wow—you must be rich!
What do you know about their REAL parents?

Now granted, not all the comments are quite on this level but many are. This type of adoption is known as transracial adoption. My husband and I are Caucasian and our children are not. We are considered a “Conspicuous Family.” Adoption has taken place since the beginning of time it seems in some form or fashion. International adoption has its beginnings at the end of the Korean War and has steadily increased the past few decades. Despite media interpretations, it is not a trend or band wagon to hop on! It is real parenting through and through.

In working as an adoption social worker with families, I attempt to walk the fine line between sharing their excitement for the journey of adoptive parenting and at the same time, determine if they are aware of the implications of adopting transracially. I inquire—Do you have friends of another ethnic group? Do you work/worship/socialize with anyone other than Caucasians. It is truly about being color aware and not color blind. The world we live in is not color blind so as parents to a non-Caucasian child, the adoptive parent must face this issue. One thing I urge families to do is to think beyond the baby they are about to adopt and to think of the toddler, the child, and the adult this baby will become. Their family is forever going to be changed by this one little person, in ways big and small.