Adopting a Guatemalan boy, would love advice from people from Guatemala.?

#1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 07:33 PM

My husband and I are adopting a boy from Guatemala that will be 3 in September. We hope to bring him to America this summer. We are going to try very hard to keep him bilingual and I have posted another question in regard to that on the family board. However, I admit that I am unfamiliar with many of the Guatemalan ways. I have purchased a Guatemalan cookbook and am practicing recipes. I have also found a small Grocery nearby that carries Latin food that our local Wal-Mart does not carry. What else can I do to prepare for this precious little boy? Are there things that will make him feel more "at home".

My husband and I have visited him and bought many things from Guatemala City and Antigua to use in our home. Do you have any advice on what else we might be able to do to help him adjust?

We really want him to be proud of his heritage. And plan on visiting Guatemala often. I'd love to hear from those of you who might be able to share a little bit of Guatemala with me.

#2 (**permalink**) 01-05-2009, 07:33 PM

I'm sure you can find great books on Guatemala, I'm not from there but just wanted to congratulate you.

#3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2009, 07:33 PM

Hi that is so exciting! I am Caucasian and have 3 children that are 1/2 Mexican. I had to give up a daughter in 1993 to be adopted because I wasn't able to be a mom at the time. She also is 1/2 Mexican. As a mother of Hispanic children I would suggest you go to a Hispanic or Spanish speaking church. The people are always so helpful and kind. I am so glad you have decided his culture and heritage will be a part of his "American" life. that is something I deeply wanted and wrote in a letter to the family adopting my daughter. I think any thing that he brings from his country should be preserved. take photos or videos or keep a journal of all you know or remember about this experience as it happens. I almost guarantee he will treasure it. There are pieces of my own life that i have no memories of at that age and i desperately wish someone would have saved a photo an article of clothing a picture of my mother hair clippings anything not knowing can be painfully agonizing!! (also remember 3 yrs old is the perfect age to learn 2 languages! ) If he wants to explore his biological history let him do that and be truthful with him. Its only human nature to NEED to know and up to him if he wants to find them. You ultimately will be the ones who will guide him when this difficult time comes. I speak from experience Today i have a relationship with my bio parents but my REAL parents are the ones I am faithful to. I am a person who has been on all 3 sides of adoption. I was an ADOPTED CHILD as I grew and had a child of my own I became a BIOLOGICAL MOTHER of an adopted child and now further down the road I have become an ADOPTIVE PARENT of my niece. pretty ironic dont you think?!

#4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 07:33 PM

when you come look for
DiscoCentro is a records store in downtown a lot of Guatemalan music record by them.

go to San Carlos University they have a lot Guatemalan history books for sale.

when it comes to coking i lived in the USA for a year is hard to find the Roth stuff but they are substitutes for some.

please if you need assistance contact me.
lordfabricio@yahoo.com
gladly will answer any questions

#5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 07:33 PM

I'm from Guatemala and I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that you are adopting a child from here and that you want him to be proud of his heritage. I also think that keeping him bilingual is extremely important. I think buying him things like books with Guatemalan legends in them is very important, there is a series that I used to love as a child that you can buy in the Libreria Piedra Santa. There are also a couple of special things we do during different holidays that I think would be nice to incorporate into your family, for example, for All Saints Day we always eat a special meal called "Fiambre" which I am sure you will find the recipe of somewhere (Fiambre is one of the things I miss the most when I am away). Easter week is also huge in Antigua, so it might be nice if you could go down there for Easter week sometime because it is truly unique. As far as things that will make him feel at home, I think he would really love it if he could have other people to speak in Spanish with. But most of all, love him, hug him and kiss him, let him know that he will be completely safe with you. Oh, and there is a book called "Culture and Customs of Guatemala" by Maureen E. Shea that is wonderful. Once again, i can't tell you how happy I am that a boy that would otherwise not have such a great life is going home with you and to infinite possibilities.

#6 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 07:33 PM

CONGRATULATIONS Mama and Daddy! As an adoptive mom, I know exactly how exciting this time is for you!

I didn't adopt my daughter from Guatemala, but I do have some ideas on what might be helpful for your family:

-- You and your husband could learn Spanish. Before bringing your son home, learn at least enough to communicate with him in his language.
-- Your family could begin to see yourselves as "Guatemalan-American." That way, it's not just your son who has to keep in touch with HIS heritage - but your whole family could begin to be a part of that culture.
-- Recipes and artwork are great ideas. Also, find some music when you travel to Guatemala, some children's stories which you can read to him, some toys which he might find familiar.
-- If he has a blanket or toy which he is attached to, bring that home with him. That will ease the transition for him.

Wonderful news - I hope you are united with your son very soon!