Episode 7: How to Teach your Family & Friends Positive Adoption Language in a Loving Way
Adoptive Mom Life | Open Adoption, Adoptive Parenting, Birth Family, Christian Community, Biblical Encouragement · Heartgrown Mama
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Show Notes
In this episode, we discuss positive adoption language – in other words, are you choosing your phrases or terms wisely when speaking about your child or child’s birth family? Maybe YOU are, but what about your inner circle?
We’ll discuss common phrase mistakes and what to say INSTEAD. We will even talk about really sweet things people say that actually aren’t true or helpful!
In Proverbs 31:26, the Bible says, “When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” Let that verse be a guide for this episode as we lovingly and gently teach by words or by example so we don’t inadvertently hurt the people we love.
Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” When we’re in relationship with a child’s birth mother, father or extended family, it is imperative that we choose words that lift up or value versus words that are insensitive or minimize the situation. This is not just a “politically correct” way of thinking, but rather a loving and respectful gesture to your child’s first family, and a step in the right direction for minimizing the negative talk or stigmas attached to adoption.
Thanks for listening today, friends! I hope this was helpful!
Some verbiage we discussed on today's show:
Put up or give up for adoption, adopt out ---> make an adoption plan, choose adoption, place a child for adoption
Real child ---> biological child, child
Real parent ---> biological parent, birth parent
Adoptive mom/dad –--> mom, dad
Own child or one of my own ---> child, biological child
To keep her child or changed her mind ---> she decided to parent her child
IS adopted --- WAS adopted
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Check out our digital adoption journal: https://heartgrownmama.com/waiting-well-journal/
In On It by Elisabeth O’Toole – great book to gift family/friends