Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.

Dads are great. I have the best father in the whole wide world…just like everyone else does 🙂 Like every daughter I am very close to my father and feel that I am so lucky to have a dad like him! A recent article written by Prof Belew about his dad gave me an insight into his personal life and his relationship with his dad. It is heartwarming to hear about any child’s relationship with their parent.

My father was a dentist and served in the Indian army for over 26 years. Growing up in a military house was very exciting. We had to move to a new place every 2-3 years. New place meant new school, new friends and new house. For most people this would be a horrid experience. Not for me!

Every school I went to,I made very good friends, most of whom I am still in touch with! Moving schools and places so often wasn’t always easy. but that was all I knew. What made it easy was my parents letting us know it was OK and that it is going to be a whole new exciting experience. Me and my sister used to look up to my father, who always took everything in his stride and was ready for every new experience. It was because of my upbringing and military lifestyle that I find it so easy to make new friends and adapt to new places and people.

I moved to the Bay Area from India a little over 2 years ago. It was thanks to my upbringing and experience that I found this transition very smooth. It still took me a while to get used to the new life here but I took it all in my stride.. just like my dad would’ve done!

I learned to accept new situations from my dad. I learned that no matter how bad things may get, it always gets better. I learned positive thinking and patience from my dad. My mom is the rock of the family and the epitome of being calm and composed. My dad compliments her very well! (I guess opposites do attract ;))

My dad always taught me to always be thankful for everything you have got and think about people who aren’t as lucky. He always told me that while it is great to look at people who have so much more than what you do, but you should never compare yourself with them. Instead, you should count your blessings and take life as it comes.

All my life I have done just that!

My parents always gave me and my sister freedom to think and make our own decisions. They always supported us through whatever we chose to do in life. To this date, I am so thankful to have parents who are so forward thinking and who made me the person who I am today!

Talk to Bill and others about their experiences raising bi-cultural Japanese-American kids.