10 things NEVER to say to an Adoptive Parent

Last Updated on October 13, 2024 by Joshua Isibor

There’s this lady who has had several tons of miscarriages. It was a sad moment for her, she wanted children but she couldn’t have any of her own. So she opted for adoption, it was a phenomenal moment for her and it was also quite challenging for her being an adoptive parent. There were so many unsolicited questions and remarks that people would even say to her face.

According to her, she started feeling like she was a lesser woman because she chose to adopt kids or that her adopted kids could never be accepted as her ‘real’ kids. Sometimes people do not mean harm by saying certain things but the truth is, that certain words can make adoptive parents feel not supported or equal. So I have come up with certain words we ought not to say to adoptive parents.

Words you should never say to adoptive parents

1.“Do you have a problem with having real kids?”

What adoptive parents feel;
She feels she does have a problem not being able to have kids especially if she had tried wanting to. She also feels her adopted child is never enough, and that she was a fool to think it was a good thing at the beginning. Slowly she starts feeling regretful of not having her own child or resentful for her inability to conceive.
Take home: Adoptive kids are not robots, they are as real as non-adoptive kids. So asking an adoptive parent why she couldn’t have ‘real’ kids of her own is so bad and disrespectful.

2.“How much did you pay for him”

What adoptive parents feel;
They feel like their adopted kids are more like a commodity you get from the grocery store.
Take home: Adoptive parents value their kids equally whether adopted or not. They pay for their tuition fees, prepare them a birthday surprise, and shower them with love. Therefore it would be so demeaning to not just the parents, but to the kids to ask them such a question.

3.“Where is her real mother or father?”

What adoptive parents feel;
That they can never be seen as the ‘real’ parents to the child. Their biological parents would always be and that leaves them a tear in their hearts.

Take home: The ‘real’ father or mother is the one standing beside the adopted kid, the one who takes care of them, loves them and allows them to know what it means to have loving parents!

4.“If they end up bad, at least you can send them back”

What adoptive parents feel;
They feel like the people don’t quite understand that these kids are now their own kids. They feel as if people think they are just passing the time with these kids, nothing serious.

Take home: No adoptive parents take a child home with the mindset that they might take them back to the orphanage if they don’t turn out the way they expect. No one disowns their biological kids no matter what they turn out to be, so why do we think adoptive parents would?

5.“You’re lucky you didn’t have to go through the hassle of labor, breastfeeding, stretch marks, or late-night babysitting and feeding.”

What Adoptive parents feel;
That this person is not empathetic especially if they have been trying to conceive or they might start feeling guilty if it’s their choice to adopt kids instead.

Take home: Although adoptive parents don’t undergo all these, telling them to their faces in a way to makes them guilty can be disrespectful. Some may really want to birth their own child but can’t. Additionally, there are still sacrifices and challenges that they are still prone to face as adoptive parents. Therefore it is wise to respect everyone’s struggle and decision.

6.“She looks nothing like you”

What adoptive parents feel;
Sad, sad and feels that no one would ever accept the fact that her adopted child is her child.
Take home: It is expected that adopted kids would most time not look like their adoptive parents so why tell them again? If not just to criticize their decisions. It’s bad. Whether the adoptive parents and their kid’s look-alike is nothing compared to the bond and love they’ll have in common.

7.“Don’t know if it’s true but adopted kids are prone to depression…they wish they knew their real parents.”

What adoptive parents feel;
That they should prepare for the worst and that they will never be fully accepted by their adopted kids more than the way they would accept their biological parents.

Take home: It’s wrong to think that adopted kids would fall into depression because they are not with their biological parents. Adopted kids end up loving their adoptive parents, they grow so used to them that they forget they were even adopted. So it’s unnecessary to think the kids would fall into depression.

8.“So, will you have your own children”

What adoptive parents feel;
That you’re not respectful of their decisions and that you’re inferring that their having adopted kids is the same thing as having no kids.

Take home: Adoptive parents are very much fulfilled and happy having adopted kids. To them, it’s the same as having your own kids. Consequently, it will be so disrespectful trying to make them feel their adopted kids are any less, to them.

9.“What’s wrong with him? Why was he abandoned and put into care?

What adoptive parents feel;
They feel you’re trying to give them a hint that something must be wrong with their kids, which is usually something they should be worried about. Or they could feel you’re trying to invade their privacy.

Take home: Adoptive parents don’t need to explain any of this to you. Their kids’ stories are not for some public annoying consumption. Adoptive parents share details of their kids when it’s needful like in medical settings. In essence, if there’s something to be worried about or you should know, they would have told you without you asking.

10.“Awwn that’s so nice of you, that’s how we adopted our dog too!”

How adoptive parents feel;
They feel highly disrespected for themselves and their poor kids!

Take home: Adopting a pet or whatever is different from adopting a child. An adopted child is simply a child and can NEVER BE liken to some pet. Adopted kids are deserving of equal respect as non-adoptive kids.

In conclusion

 we need to respect everyone’s decisions. That includes adoptive parents too. Consequently, that means filtering the words coming out of your mouth. Adoptive parents are happy to have their kids and if you want to help, support them in any you can without any form of criticizing.

ALSO, READ 25 ways to make someone feel better

Originally posted 2021-02-14 17:15:21.