Should parents celebrate holidays in the native culture of their adopted child?

Yes

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by Ezekiel Stone

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I think parents should celebrate holidays in the culture of their child. The parents knew their culture and religion when the adopted them. If you're an adoptive parent, odds are your child comes from a different heritagewhether he's from Rhode Island or Russia, of Asian or African-American or Latin-American descent. Learning about his heritage will help him understand where he comes from and build a strong sense of self. I find it wrong to keep a child from who they are and where they come from and you should feel the same way. Look for people to Expose your child to a wide variety of role models from his own culture and those of others.Seek out doctors, teachers, construction workers athletes, even people in the neighborhood and other adult role models for your child. Invite them to your house. Your whole family can benefit from their friendship. "These events are wonderful opportunities for families to connect with others who have been there, done that. Tell your child to have a pin-pal from the same religion that he or she is to build a friendship, and bond with some one just like them. This will help them not feel left out. Get with your school, see if there is a foreign exchange student of the same culture. Do the big brother or big sister program. Find on the map where your child is from. Show it to them and see what they say, and answer any questions to the best of your knowledge.If your child is foreign born, find books about his country of birth. Get some music, and books and have fun celebrating different holidays on the country where he or she is born. Try a holiday recipe or craft together or plan a special night to celebrate your child's culture by dressing as authentically as possible and duplicating a traditional meal. Get in contact with a catalogue company Request a free catalogue of adoptive and ethnic items from Adoptive Families of America. Many stores carry dolls and books from other cultures. Try to include items from his culture in his room decor and in his play things. Do little puppet shows to show them how much fun his or her culture can be. Get some books from the library. Choose stories that picture children of all races in a non-stereotypical way. Look for books that are both realistic and uplifting. These ideas and others of your own to help your child understand his own cultural background. It will help your own family develop an appreciate of another culture also. Get some material that can help teach the children and parents the native language. That is always a fun process. Every now and then make a food that is from your child's country. You don't have to like but act like for them. It will make their day. Lean about animals from his/her country. Make a picture book for the child. If the child is old enough he/she could create their own books. Cut out pictures or draw your own. You might even be amazed at some of the animals from a foreign country.

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