FYI: Adoption Lingo

Positive/ Appropriate vs. Negative/ Outdated

Birth Mother not Real Parent
Birth Parent not Natural Parent
Birth Child not Own Child
My Child not Adopted Child
Born to Unmarried Parents not Illegitimate
Terminate Parental Rights not Give Up
Make an Adoption Plan not Give Away
To Parent not To Keep
Adoption Triad or Circle not Adoption Triangle
Child Placed for Adoption not An Unwanted Child
Child with Special Needs not Handicapped Child
Was Adopted not Is Adopted