This journey has been a huge learning curve for us, and one of the many things we have had to work on is how we talk about our adoption. We have received some great coaching tips on things to say/not say, ways to talk about our journey, how to avoid offensive language, etc. Since we are still in the early stages of learning these things, we thought we’d share it with each of you, too. :) (If you have any questions behind the reasoning for these suggestions, feel free to email us at our addresses in the margin.)
Rather than: Real parent(s)/ Natural parent(s)
It is suggested: Birth parent(s), Birth mother, Birth father/ Biological parent(s)
Rather than: Unwed mother
It is suggested: Single parent
Rather than: Real child
It is suggested: Birth child
Rather than: Illegitimate child
It is suggested: Child of unmarried parents
Rather than: Put up for adoption/ Give up for adoption
It is suggested: Make an adoption plan/ Choose adoption
Rather than: Is adopted
It is suggested: Was adopted
Rather than: Keep a child
It is suggested: Parent a child
Rather than: Hard to place child
It is suggested: Child with special placement needs
Rather than: Unwanted pregnancy
It is suggested: Unplanned, unintended, or untimely pregnancy
Rather than: Find parents
It is suggested: Search for birth parents
Rather than: Foreign adoption
It is suggested: Inter-country adoption
Rather than: Adoptee
It is suggested: Someone who was adopted
Rather than: Do you have any children of your own?
It is suggested: Do you have any biological children?
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