On Saturday, I took my son and my friend’s little girl to Great Lakes Crossing in Michigan. It’s a big indoor outlet mall, but we didn’t go for the shopping. We went to visit Jeepers, which is a mini-indoor amusement park. It has little rides (roller coasters, bumper cars, etc…), a big play land for kids, an arcade…

We went and picked up my friend’s little girl in the morning and we got the biggest kick out of our son’s reaction. He’s not used to having someone ride in the back with him. He kept looking over at her and he’d get this big grin on his face that was making us laugh. We commented that he would like to have a sibling riding in the car with him.

The kids had a blast. My friend’s little girl is fearless. She rode all the rides and loved them. My son rode one ride and then refused to get on again. Last summer we couldn’t keep him off the rides, but this time he wouldn’t go on. I should have expected it because he’s at an age where he’s more cautious about everything, but it was a little disappointing. Even without the rides, he enjoyed himself because of the huge three story play land (complete with slides).

I learned two things this weekend. First, I learned that while my son might be ready for a sibling…I am not ready. Both children were extremely well behaved, but I felt like my head was going to twist off right off while I tried to keep track of both of them. My husband was there so it wasn’t like I was on my own. There were so many things that could happen and so many people that I wasn’t sure I could trust. My muscles are tense still and I’ve had more than twenty-four hours to recover. I’m not sure how my friends with multiple children do it AND two of them are pregnant with their third. I start shaking at the thought.

The second thing that I learned is more applicable to this blog. I was able to experience what it must feel like for a Caucasian mother with an Asian child. Because I’m Korean and my son’s Korean, it’s really been a non-issue for me. I don’t think it’s as big of a deal now as it was when I was little. Now, I rarely meet someone who doesn’t know someone who knows someone who has adopted from Korea or China. However, I know that it still can be an issue – from the comments I received in one of my earlier posts.

My friends little girl is almost four years old and she has blond hair and blue eyes. I could feel the eyes following us when we walked into Jeepers hand-in-hand. Each time I walked her through the line to the rides, took her to the restroom or she ran to me to show me the newest attraction…I could almost hear the people wondering who I was. When my husband was with us, I think they pretty much assumed that I was the step-mom, but for most of the day I ran herd on my friend’s little girl and my husband chased our son. A part of me was even waiting for someone to challenge my right to take her with me when I left. I didn’t realize how truly uncomfortable the feeling would be. I found myself very glad that she was willing to openly claim me.

Everything is a learning experience. If you would like to comment, but not on this site, please e-mail me at adoptkoreablog@adoptionmail.com.