Sandra Bullock Tells You Straight Why You Should Stop Saying “My ‘Adopted’ Child”

You’ve probably heard a parent say it about their child before, but if you were too cautious to call them out on it, don’t sweat it because Sandra Bullock’s got you covered.

In her latest interview with InStyle Magazine, the Hollywood actress talks about how parents should stop referring to their adopted children as such.

InStyle

Sandra is known for her advocacy in promoting adoption, and when asked whether the situation with foster care has improved, she got emotional.

Pinterest

She said, “Not quickly enough. Look: I’m all for Republican, Democrat, whatever, but don’t talk to me about what I can or can’t do with my body until you’ve taken care of every child who doesn’t have a home or is neglected or abused.”

HollywoodLife

Sandra has two kids, Louis, 8, and Laila, 5. She took Louis out of foster care in 2010 and Laila in 2015. When asked about her kids she said, “Lou is super sensitive, I call him my 78-year-old son. He’s like Shecky Greene, a Jewish Catskills comic. He’s wise and kind.” She then added: “I saw that when they handed him to me. There was a spiritual bigness to him. I was like, ‘I hope I don’t eff that up.’”

As for her daughter, she said, “Laila is just unafraid. She’s a fighter, and that’s the reason she’s here today. She fought to keep her spirit intact.” Reflecting on the current state of the world, she then quipped: “Oh my God, what she is going to accomplish. She’s going to bring some real change.”

The actress was also quick to point out why people who adopt should stop using the term “adopted”.

“Let’s all just refer to these kids as ‘our kids.’ Don’t say, ‘my adopted child.’ No one calls their kid their ‘IVF child’ or their ‘Oh, shit, I went to a bar and got knocked-up child.’ Let’s just say, ‘our children.'”

Ok! Magazine

Sandra’s got it right, folks. Even asking an adoptive parent about when they’re going to have kids of their own can mean differently to their kids who hear it. Their kids are their own. And for families who have worked so hard at making sure their children feel secure and accepted into their homes, words like that can affect how these kids see themselves.

So good on you Sandra for putting it out there!