I have one more transracial adoption question from a reader to answer. If you have a question you would like answered or a topic related to transracial adoption that you would like to see answered, please leave a comment.

Today's question is:

What is the best way to integrate with a racial/cultural group that you have not had much interaction with in the past? (i.e. white parents adopting an African son)

Many different adoption experts and professionals reiterate that it is important for transracially adopted children to have people in their lives of their same race, especially other adults that can serve as positive role models.

While in an ideal world, parents choosing to adopt a child transracially will already live an integrated life, where they interact regularly with people of a variety of cultures and ethnicities, many adoptive parents realize how un-integrated their life is after they decide to adopt transracially.

So how do transracial adoptive parents integrate with a racial or cultural group that they have not interacted with previously? There are lots of ways. Interacting with new people and new cultures often involves stepping outside of one's comfort zone, and yet the rewards are usually well worth it.

Here are some suggestions:

- If you are religious, you can look into finding a church with ethnic diversity, and sometimes there are churches or services specifically for a culture or ethnicity. I know several families who have adopted from Ethiopia, and have made wonderful Ethiopian friends in their communities by visiting an Ethiopian church service in their area.

- Find cultural events in your area. Attending a cultural event can be a great way to meet new people. If you live near a large university, there are often cultural groups or clubs that sponsor events, performances, activities, etc.

- Join an adoption support group. Often, adoption support groups are aware of cultural events and activities in your area, and it is a great way to connect with other transracial adoptive families. Even my older kids really enjoy when we get together with other adoptive families and they see other families that look like ours.

- Eat at ethnic restaurants. Many adoptive families have made friends with both restaurant owners and patrons after frequent visits to ethnic restaurants. Visiting ethnic hair salons, clothing shops and grocery stores can also be good ways to meet new people.

- Consider moving to a more ethnically diverse area. Some transracial adoptive families have found that they felt the need to move. When you live in an area that is ethnically diverse, then you don't really need to go out of the way to search out opportunities to integrate your life, because the people you see at the grocery store, your child's school and everywhere else and the people you interact with on a daily basis will be ethnically diverse.

Basically, adoptive parents need to expand their social circles and the places that they frequently go to, to include places where the majority of people are not only white. Overall, adoptive parents should be friendly and approachable, and should be trying to make friends because they have an honest interest in meeting new people and making new friends, and not just because they feel like they should or have to.

More than likely, stepping outside of your comfort zone and meeting new people will be a blessing not only for your child, but for you as well.