Mia Goes Home to Korea and Comes Home with a Brother 4

[annagitana1]

Wow, Matthew, as sensitive and powerful as ever. But it hurt to watch. The joy of having two such beautiful babies is mixed with the grief of separation. BTW, this is one of the reasons I would be afraid to be a foster parent. Tons of questions: Does your wife have any family in Korea? Why can't you go back for a visit someday? Do you send photos to the foster parents? How soon did Jen get over his grief? Do you believe the separations impacted your kids long term? Thanks again. Loved it.

[matthewcyahoo]

@annagitana1

My wife has cousins in Korea but no one she is super close with. We will go back for a visit someday but I said in the video Mia may never see her Foster Mom again because she is older and we don't know when we will be back. We definitely will go back when Joon Soo is old enough to understand. Jen got over his grief in about 2 weeks, He seemed out of sorts but then settled in after a week or so and then got better as time went by.

[matthewcyahoo]

@annagitana1

It is tough to say how the separations will affect them long term as I am not a psychologist and I am somewhat new at this also. All we can do is have a happy family and hope they are okay which I think they are.

The Foster parents found our You Tube channel and watch all the Jenson videos. Mia's foster Mom has friends who are web savvy and show her the videos. They send us comments in Korean from time to time.

[annagitana1]

@matthewcyahoo That is fantastic to know. It must make them feel so wonderful to see the beautiful life your kids have with you two. And it must be a good feeling for you that your family acts as a tonic to those of out here who are sick of hearing about the bad things in the world. We get to see the good parts watching you guys!!!!!!

[matthewcyahoo]

@annagitana1

I don't read Korean but they seem very excited to see him laugh and the relationship he has with his new sister. I am glad they see the videos as I am sure it makes them feel better when they see how happy he is. Otherwise it is a picture once a year at Christmas which doesn't tell the whole story like a video does..

[vitwaterlover]

was that really joon soos mother and father and sister or foster family?

[matthewcyahoo]

@vitwaterlover

Foster family. We call them his family as he was with them from 15 days on. It was the only family he ever knew so we give them the respect they deserve for taking such good care of him. It was their only foster child and I think the separation hurt them. He is a very lovable kid..

[seulong1987]

is joonsoo 100% korean? he looks mixed.

[matthewcyahoo]

@seulong1987

We were told he is 100% Korean, documented, but I think the same. Maybe one fourth white. Some people even tell me he looks like me. They were adamant that both parents were full blood Korean.

[seulong1987]

@matthewcyahoo Thank you. I am enjoying your videos. I grew up outside of Korea and I always miss my homecountry. I am surrounded by people who dont know where Korea is. Seeing how you are so positive about Korea make me proud to be Korean.

[matthewcyahoo]

@seulong1987

My daughter told me not to say Korean words when I walk her to school because she doesn't want anyone to know she is Korean. She wants to fit in but I keep reminding her of why she should be proud to be Korean. Her teacher even said the reason she did so well was she was Korean so I remind her that there is a very positive opinion of Koreans. We won't let her forget her roots..

[zoodensha]

@matthewcyahoo Kids are weird about how badly they want to fit in. I think Mia is feeling very uncomfortable at being obviously aisian in a mostly anglo community, which would make her aggressive about her desire not to be different. I think it is an age development issue.

Of course, 10 years from now she will give you hell for listening to her now. But that is the reason you are the parent and you get to make the rules.

[matthewcyahoo]

@zoodensha

Our community has a ton of Asians, it is very diverse. She has 3 or 4 other Asian kids in her class. She will be fine, just a part of growing up and finding your way.

[seulong1987]

@matthewcyahoo i think mia is just growing up.. go through a stage. I live in Europe the view of asia is very different compare to california. my fellow student at my college doesn't even know where korea is located. they ask questions like " does bus run in korea?" as she grow up she will find time to search for her roots as i did.