Here's the second half of an interview with James K., following from the first half over here, in this post.

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Are there lots of Chinese or Asian kids where you live? Do your kids attract a lot of attention for being "different"?


There are a number of adopted girls in our town, though they're still a tiny minority. So far we haven't really gotten the idiot questions we expected from the masses on our adoption. Mainly, we just get, "oh, your girl is so pretty!" mainly because she is, in fact, absolutely gorgeous (and that's only partially Parental Pride talking). I think that her inherent cuteness overrides any queries as to her origins.

Are you the only member of your family who has adopted?


Yes.

Have you thought about adopting again?


As much as the idea appeals, we've already let the kids outnumber us, and that's enough.

Have you been back to China?

No, but we're definitely saving to go back. We want to spend more time in Hong Kong, and we want to see China again when we're not totally focused on the bonding process. We're aiming for when Laurana's around 10.

Can any of your family speak Mandarin?

Just a few very basic words. I was obsessively trying to perfect my 'xie xie' while I was there, and I think I got pretty good at it. I plan on learning more (along with my daughter) mainly to prepare for the return trip.

Would you recommend adoption to other families?

Depending on the family, absolutely. If you think you can handle the guilt and worry and trauma, and excitement and fascination and wonder of international, go for it.

"If you can handle the guilt, trauma and worry". What do you mean by
that? I *think* I know....

Guilt: of knowing there's birth parents out there that have been separated from their daughter by senseless cultural pressure, and that there's virtually no chance of our daughter ever meeting them. Of separating her from her home country.

Trauma: of being an instant parent. Our daughter's trauma, being suddenly thrust into a new world where people look, smell, and sound completely different that her little mind has come to be used to.

Worry: about the progression of the adoption process. About what condition the little one will be in when she comes to us. About whether she'll have developmental issues or separation issues or just plain ol' issues. About whether she'll decide when she's older that we've done something terrible to her by taking her out of China. There's just too many things to worry about to fit on a sensible list.

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