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Transracial adoption -- when a family adopts a child of another race -- has become more common in recent years. In previous generations families were encouraged to adopt children who looked like they could be born to them. But as people began to embrace diversity of all kinds, they've become more comfortable celebrating the many different ways there are to be a family.

If you're thinking about adopting transracially there are some things to consider.

Are you ready to be an "out" adoptive family?

Richard Mintzer, author of Yes, You Can Adopt!, says, "Everyone can see that you have an adopted child so you have to be comfortable and have enough confidence with whatever situations...

Transracial adoption -- when a family adopts a child of another race -- has become more common in recent years. In previous generations families were encouraged to adopt children who looked like they could be born to them. But as people began to embrace diversity of all kinds, they've become more comfortable celebrating the many different ways there are to be a family.

If you're thinking about adopting transracially there are some things to consider.

Are you ready to be an "out" adoptive family? Richard Mintzer, author of Yes, You Can Adopt!, says, "Everyone can see that you have an adopted child so you have to be comfortable and have enough confidence with whatever situations come up. If somebody says something out of ignorance or asks questions, you have to be prepared."

Are you ready to help your child find ties to his birth culture? Your child will need opportunities to explore his birth culture and will need role models from that community.

Are you ready to celebrate your differences? It may be true that love sees no color, but people do. Some adoptive parents mistakenly believe that it's best to be color-blind. But if you ignore the fact that racism still exists, you won't be able to prepare your kids to deal with other people's prejudices.

Fortunately, there are lots of resources to help. One of the best is PACT, an adoption alliance.

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