Adopting a child can be such a positive experience. But all too often, the words used to describe it isn’t positive at all. Most of the time people don’t mean any harm in what they’re saying. They’re simply repeating what everyone else says. But using words indiscriminately to describe the adoption process not only perpetuates myths about it, it can also cause great hurt to the people who have been touched by the process. So next time someone asks you about a boy’s “real” brother, make sure you set them straight.
Wrong Wording Right Wording
Birthmother
Real mother
Giving baby away
Unwanted pregnancy