| > | | | | skin colors, your child could be susceptible to |
| These days, inter-racial relationships are not as | | | | teasing or bullying at school or on the playground. |
| uncommon as they once were. Even if yous is a | | | | Be sure to discuss how to handle this issue with |
| committed relationship, such as marriage, some of | | | | your partner. Some neighborhoods in inner-city |
| your neighbors may not be open-minded enough | | | | areas may not be a safe place to raise a child of |
| to accept it. Learn what to expect in an | | | | mixed ethnicity. |
| inter-racial relationship and know how to cope with | | | | When you start an inter-racial relationship, make |
| any difficulties that might arise. | | | | sure you are aware of your surroundings and |
| These days, inter-racial relationships are not as | | | | move to a more amicable neighborhood if |
| uncommon as they once were. | | | | necessary. |
| In fact, in most cases, race is not even a major | | | | Bringing children into the mix heightens the need |
| deciding factor when singles are looking for dates. | | | | for a safe neighborhood. |
| Unfortunately, however, every town or city has a | | | | Make sure that your son or daughter is not an |
| few residents who believe this kind of relationship | | | | easy target for hate crimes by finding a |
| is wrong or unnatural. | | | | community where differences like race are not as |
| Even if yous is a committed relationship, such as | | | | prominent. |
| marriage, some of your neighbors may not be | | | | Also be sure that your child is prepared for bullies. |
| open-minded enough to accept it. | | | | I recommend speaking to your child before he or |
| You may have been prepared for that when you | | | | she starts school no matter if race is an issue or |
| started dating, and in all honesty, most of the | | | | not. |
| time it simply takes some thick skin to ignore | | | | You and your partner should discuss how a bully |
| nasty looks or comments. | | | | should be handled, and if the situation gets to be |
| Although you make be comfortable with your | | | | too much for your child to deal with, consider |
| situation, don't forget that you and your partner | | | | changing schools. |
| have someone else to consider as wellyour | | | | Remember that adults can be bullies as well, so |
| children. Being part of an inter-racial family is | | | | prepare your child for that. Bullies may even |
| something your children did not choose, and you | | | | come from within your own family or the family |
| may need to provide extra support to help them | | | | or your spouse. |
| understand their family situation. | | | | Be prepared as a family to handle extended |
| 1) A Public Affair | | | | family members who do not approve of |
| Picture this: You're walking in the grocery store | | | | inter-racial relationships or families. |
| with your child, who has a considerably different | | | | 3) Baby or Not? |
| skin tone than you. Just as you're getting your | | | | Of course, in any relationship, you and your |
| eggs, an old high school friend, one you haven't | | | | significant other should thoroughly discuss if you |
| seen since graduation, approaches you. | | | | want children or not before you dive into bed |
| Happily, the two of you chat for awhile, and then | | | | together. |
| he asks you whose child you're baby-sitting. | | | | This is of the utmost importance when you are |
| Not only is this embarrassing for your friend, but | | | | half of an inter-racial relationship. |
| it may be awkward for your child as well. | | | | Why? Simply put, as progressive as your |
| Going out in public together with only one parent, | | | | boyfriend or girlfriend may be in regards to race, |
| especially when that parent has significantly | | | | he or she still may not wish to bring a mixed-race |
| different looks, can cause a child to question his | | | | child into the world. |
| or her family situation as well. | | | | If one partner wants a family and the other |
| It may be easy for you to smile and correct | | | | doesn't, it will mean major problems for the |
| your friend, but it isn't easy for your child to feel | | | | relationship! |
| unembarrassed. | | | | While there are a number of good reasons to |
| Prepare your child for these types of situations | | | | avoid having a child with two very different |
| by holding family conferences from a young age. | | | | heritages, it is important to remember that this |
| In many cases, a young child may not even | | | | type of situation can be very rewarding as well. |
| realize that he or she is part of an inter-racial | | | | If you want the rest of the people in your |
| family. | | | | community to look past race, you need to start |
| Start slowly, but explain how this difference | | | | with yourself. |
| makes your relationship special. By preparing for | | | | Discuss the possibility of having a child with your |
| public situations, you can help your child feel more | | | | partner early in the relationship so that you are |
| comfortable. | | | | both on the same page with one another's wants |
| 2) Beating the Bullies | | | | and needs. Above all, that's the most important |
| You know as well as I do how harsh kids can be. | | | | thing in any relationship, whether it is inter-racial or |
| With a mommy and daddy who have different | | | | not. |