Biracial children and homeschooling

[Genia Quetel]

I just wanted to start a post for parents of homeschooling transracially adopted or biracial children. We are a military family that's lived overseas for several years ( with our 2 youngest having been born in Okinawa, Japan ). My husband is white from St. Thomas and comes from a multiracial family himself ( his fathers' first wife was black, and he has 3 children from that marriage ).

Let's share positive thoughts and experiences on raising and homeschooling biracial and transracially adopted kids. Let's talk about our successes and failures while raising kids in a racially sensitive world. I'd love to hear what you ladies or gentlemen have to say.

[Sharonda Smith]

Hi Genia,
We fall into that category. We are used to inquisitive people and the stares they can give, but for the most part we have not experienced any harshness. We do however, choose carefully who we associate with, but only b/c of our Christian, morals, and values beliefs. When our children were very small, we showed lots of family photos so they could see that people will look different, even within immediate families. Tracing family roots helped too. Our oldest daughter is adopted, so these issues arose after we gave birth to the other 2, and they looked abit more like me. We always talk about their feelings and concerns, and answer any questions they may have. We also fellowship with people of many different ethnicities, so they know diversity. We invite people into our home so that we can form relationships and really get to know people for who they are. I think its easier to homeschool and be aware that there are differences among people, and that history has not always painted a pretty picture, than for our children to be apart of the school system and be subject to racism of all sorts (not just the issue of color). I'm interested in knowing what others have to say.

[Genia Quetel]

Hi Sharonda,

Thanks for sharing. We are in that stares category ourselves ( when we visit the states ). My children are very fair, so I'm asked if I'm the babysitter alot lol! We're used to it. We live in Panama now, and since we are not an exception to the rule, my kids don't seem to notice anything.

As far as racism goes, we let God handle that one. I believe that all things happen for the greater good. Every bad thing is a opportunity to seek Him first.

I hope to discuss more with you soon,
Genia

[Laya's Mama]

My daughter is not born yet but I come from a multiracial background so I have a lot to share. The most important thing that my parents ever did for my sister and I was to teach us about each of our cultures and to be grateful that we are a part of every one of them. We were raised not to choose a race to identify with but to identify as all of the races that made us. Biracial kids that are part black are told by society that they are black (myself included) but this often causes kids to either resent being part white or wish they were not black depending on their enviorment. This is where the problems with identity come in. Because I was taught to embrace all parts of my heritage I grew up with a strong sense of identity and love for all races. I grew up in a predominetely black area with mostly black friends so I did identify somewhat more with being black than the white and mvskoke races but I always saw my racial makeup as a blessing.

Hope this is helpful!

[TiffanyJudson]

Genia,
Caio Genia. I definately know about being different. While I am not in a biracial family, I am a Muslim. My husband has served in the US Navy for nearly 10 years and we are currently stationed in Italy. Being different any place is not easy, yet in the Military it can in some instances be overwhelming.
The world's systems are built on differences if you think about it. If we all looked, thought, and decided the same our lives would be greatly changed. Consider this, it was "differences" that led us to Independance Day, "differences" that led us to the Abolition of Slavery, "differences" that led to many great happenings including the ones that homeschoolers are involved in daily.
Continue to stay encouraged and find the support systems that are positive and genuinely welcoming to your entire family.
Warm regards,
Tiffany