Why does everyone say birth moms 'gave up' their babies?
I was at a support group meeting in Boise last week and this new girl kept saying she 'gave up' her son for adoption. Three other moms there had to stop her and explain that word does a lot of damage, like we just quit or something. I placed my daughter 7 years ago and I didn't give up anything, I made a plan for her. Does that wording bug anyone else or is it just me being sensitive?
Saying someone "gave up" their baby really does rub me the wrong way too, but I don't think it's fair to jump on the new girl for it. Most people saying that phrase aren't trying to say you quit, they just don't know the right words. My cousin placed her son 4 years ago and her own mom still slips and says "gave him up" sometimes. Getting mad at every person who says it just pushes them away when we could be teaching them instead. Call it out when it matters, sure, but not every person who fumbles the wording deserves a lecture.