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Yes, my kids are real brothers. Really.

February 9, 2020 by Jill 30 Comments

Yes, my kids are real brothers. Two out of three kids are adopted. At least that’s how it works in our family. We didn’t plan it that way… that’s just how it worked out.

Table of Contents

  • Yes my kids are real brothers. Really they are.
    • I have heard it all but yes, my kids are real brothers:
    • I know when people say “real brothers” they mean biological.  It’s still annoying AF. Here are the basics:
    • You might think your questions are innocent…but consider how they’re received.
    • My kids are real brothers and we are a real family.
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Yes my kids are real brothers. Really they are.

People are curious when it comes to adoption, I get that. We’re naturally curious about families that look different or are put together a little bit differently.  I’ve made my peace with the curiosity although I don’t do very well with the old biddy asking me personal questions in the frozen food aisle (because shit always goes down in the frozen aisle, who knows why, really?).

My family has learned to handle staring, assumptions, stereotypes and prejudice. We adopted our boys because we wanted to be parents. However we have had to make an uneasy peace with our new role as the poster family for adoption.

Related post: The great big list of adoption gifts

I have heard it all but yes, my kids are real brothers:

“Why China and not an American kid?”

“Bless you, you’re such a saint.”

“How much did your adoption cost?”

Oh, and if you’re that person who asked “how much did they cost” like my kids are some sort of good deal at the Farmer’s Market… best to take cover.  You were warned.

That said there is one word that raises my blood pressure and causes my inner crazy person to skyrocket to the surface: REAL.

“Are they real brothers?”

“What happened to their real parents?”

I know when people say “real brothers” they mean biological.  It’s still annoying AF. Here are the basics:

I try not to get wrapped around semantics but that’s hard.

No, my boys are not biologically related, and we have no idea what happened to their biological parents or why they chose not to parent these children. That knowledge isn’t part of our adoption story, and even if it were, we wouldn’t be sharing.

My kids aren’t biologically related. But yes, they are REAL brothers. #adoption

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But, think about what it means for my kids to hear you ask if they’re “real brothers.” At the grocery store. At sporting events. At any place where we’re just trying to blend in versus stand out. Stop and consider what they might think when people ask casual questions about their place in our family.

Related post: Not a birthday: Celebrating adoption day

My kids share a room. They share toys.  They share parental attention.  Sometimes, they share punishment, AKA they both get blamed for the same thing that I can’t quite determine who is really responsible for. They are real brothers.

I comfort my children when they’re scared. I sit up all night and worry when they’re sick.  I laugh at them and with them.  They piss me off, make me feel old and keep me young.  I am their real mother.

You might think your questions are innocent…but consider how they’re received.

You might think your questions are innocent. You probably don’t think at all.  Maybe you thought my kids were cute and I accidentally smiled at you and opened the door for conversation and the “real brothers” question was the first thing that popped in to your head.

I get being curious but I wish you’d get where your questions lead our family.

My children love each other fiercely. Sometimes, this love is shown by teasing, punching, hair-pulling and messing with the other kid’s stuff, but the love is there.

I don’t love my adopted kids less or more than my kid that came in to this world via my own hoo-ha. You don’t need to be connected by DNA to love, people.  And while I “know what you mean” when someone asks if my sons are real brothers, it’s something I wish people wouldn’t say because the after-effects can hurt my children.

My kids are usually standing right next to me and hear the questions people ask. Not a week goes by where we don’t get asked a question about real brothers and real parents.  Constantly having my family’s authenticity questioned, even in a benign and well-meaning way, wears on me and opens the door to questions at home that I’d rather let happen organically.  I hate that our adoption talks are usually sparked by something said by a stranger.

Related post: What I learned about adoption during our first month home

My kids are real brothers and we are a real family.

And, the “you’re a saint” comment never ceases to make me laugh.  I’m anything but that and you only need to spend five minutes with me to figure that out. 

“Would you ask it about a boob job” is a good frame of reference for nosy adoption questions

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I’ll end with a tip: use a boob job as a good frame of reference for nosy adoption questions, or any nosy questions:  if you wouldn’t walk up to me and ask me if my breasts were were real, then maybe you shouldn’t ask a similarly inappropriate question about my kids.  I think that’s pretty good advice.

You’re welcome.

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30 Comments

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Comments

  1. Poop Rainbow Mama says

    March 18, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    Amen! My wife is Thai and my son’s half Caucasian and half Asian. Every time we leave the house someone asks who is his real mum or where is his daddy. Dreading the day when he can understand. Think we are going to be having some big conversations way earlier that I had planned

    Reply
    • Jill says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:53 pm

      I dread those conversations, too.

      Reply
  2. Janine Huldie says

    March 19, 2015 at 6:25 am

    Great advice and never seems to amaze me how people will just say whatever pops into their minds instead of thinking before they speak. So, truly loved your response here and you said it I think absolutely 110% perfectly!

    Reply
  3. Bev says

    March 19, 2015 at 7:07 am

    Seriously, people?! I asked my mom (who was adopted) a question about her “real” mom when I was a small child, because I was a child and too young to understand. I seriously cannot adults would ask something like this, and in particular in front of your boys. Yikes!

    Reply
  4. Melissa @ Home on Deranged says

    March 19, 2015 at 7:39 am

    Everything you say is absolutely true, but I disagree with your assumption on asking about boob jobs: people will ask. In today’s world, it seems like nothing is off-limits to ask. Which means you’ll keep getting that question, just like I’ll keep getting asked if I’m my girls’ grandma. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jill says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:54 pm

      I’ve been asked the grandma question, too. I don’t think it’s something I will get used to. Ouch.

      Reply
  5. Susanne/The Dusty Parachute says

    March 19, 2015 at 8:31 am

    People are so annoying. My brother has two adopted daughters and I sure hope they don’t get bugged with these stupid questions, but I’m sure they do.
    Speaking of which, my brother was adopted, which is a fact that slips my mind 99.9% of the time, unless I’m having a specific conversation about adoption. Families are families. Siblings are siblings.

    Reply
    • Jill says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:55 pm

      That’s interesting…my brother is also adopted and I hardly ever thing about it.

      Reply
  6. Allie says

    March 19, 2015 at 11:23 am

    I get similar questions about my twins. They are twins – from my womb, I was there to see it – they were born one minute apart. But one is special needs and one is not. I hate when people say, “Well, it’s not like they’re really twins.” Ugh! And the boob thing, honestly, I have friends who’ve had work, ahem, done. and they’re asked about it ALL the time. There is no shame anymore – civility is gone.

    Reply
    • Suheiry says

      March 19, 2015 at 11:44 am

      I gasped out loud when I read your comment. I cannot believe people have the audacity to say that! I’m so sorry you have this experience.

      Reply
    • Jill says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      That is such a horrible thing to say – “not like they’re really twins.” That made me wince just reading it.

      Reply
  7. Suheiry says

    March 19, 2015 at 11:48 am

    “I don’t love my adopted kids less or more than m’y kid that came in to this world via my own hoo-ha. You don’t need to be connected by DNA to love, people.”

    Amen!

    I’m always blown away by the things people are comfortable saying to total strangers. You’re supposed to give them the benefit of the doubt, because they probably didn’t realize they were being rude or their intentions were good. Yeah, no, fuck you. Use some common sense.

    Reply
  8. The Imp says

    March 19, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    I’m married to an adoptee. I’m what some ppl call, ‘adoptee lite’ b/c I was raised by my bio mom, and her husband, but never had contact w/my bio dad.

    I’ve heard it ALL. I grew up w/3 brothers, and my mom and my dad. Period.

    My husband, however, fared worse, since he wasn’t the same heritage as his Mom. Of course, her introducing him as, “My ADOPTED son” didn’t help anything, either (she still does this. And yes, w/that emphasis).

    I’ve been asked if all my kids have the same Dad, in the grocery store. And that’s anyone’s business, HOW?!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      April 12, 2015 at 8:58 pm

      If someone ever asks me a question about my adopted kids, I’ll be forced to ask them about their vaginally birthed kids. That will be awkward.

      Reply
  9. Mary says

    March 19, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    Well said! We have often been asked also if our boys are “real” brothers. One time after I was asked that question, another woman who knows a little bit of my boys’ stories said, “You didn’t answer right. She wanted to know if they were biological brothers.” That’s not the question I was asked, and it doesn’t really matter!

    Reply
  10. Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says

    March 20, 2015 at 12:51 am

    Honestly, why do people think it’s OK to ask questions like that? My mother would have died if we asked things along those lines – and still would! She’d be mortified and wish the earth would swallow her. But I digress.
    I think the “boob job” rule is a good one for so many topics – a good social litmus test. I think I’ll keep that one!

    Reply
  11. Mama Bear says

    March 20, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    In this day and age, families are made in all different ways. I wonder if the people who equate “real” with “traditional” have been living under a rock for the last 40 years. It drove me crazy when I was little with my step family and it drives me crazy today with my adopted son. “Real” is what is in your heart.

    Reply
  12. MaryEllen says

    March 20, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    I am sure this is hugely frustrating and especially since as you said, it makes the kids ask questions. I think that’s the really hard part. And you’re right, people don’t mean it to be mean, but they should still be thinking of it. I think we should always be cognizant when kids can overhear things but of course some people are totally insensitive. I love your definitions of real. Will have to keep those in my back pocket for when these things happen to me! Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  13. Tarana Khan says

    March 26, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    Maybe sometimes, people don’t actually realize how rude they are being, but the fact is, we need to choose words carefully when talking to an adoptive family.

    Reply
  14. Kristi Campbell says

    March 27, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    Yes! Yes yes yes. I was adopted and hated it when people asked my parents stupid stuff like that.

    Reply
  15. Rosemond says

    April 2, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    My daughter is adopted from China and I’ve heard it all. My best question to any of those questions is the same. “why do you ask?” It usually stops the conversation.

    thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  16. Dwina Martin says

    May 6, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    I so agree with all of your statements and the responses that I get from other people. My husband and I adopted our daughter from Russia.. Now my daughter who is seven is starting to say things about her “real” parents. I have explained to her that she has two sets of parents– one who loved her enough to help her find a home where she could have a momma and daddy who could take care of her, and the parents who feel blessed to have her. I think hearing the “real” parents comments coming out of her month, hurt the most of all. That being said, she needs to be able to talk about her feelings concerning adoption and her beginnings. She was almost three when she came to us, so she definitely has memories of her time in Russia and I know talking about it helps her think out her feelings.

    Reply
  17. C. Lee says

    July 31, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    I abhor the term “real”. What are people thinking? No, this is my fake child, fashioned from silicone in my free time. WTH! Real ranks up there with half and step…we love you all the same.

    Reply
  18. Dana says

    November 3, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    YES YES YES!!!! Amen, preach!!!

    Reply
  19. Sally says

    November 9, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Jill, I am an adoptee as are my two brothers. My mom found your article and sent it to all of us. Just wanted you to know we were cheering through out the entire thing. Really appreciate your ingenuity, honesty, and fearlessness. We’ve been through those scenarios and questions many times and it still shocks me. But I’m so thankful to know there are people speaking out and forcing others to understand and become more aware. Looking forward to hearing more!

    Reply
  20. Lyn @MidMichiganMom says

    January 7, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    Giving you a virtual high five right now. Put those nosy strangers in their place! My father is German and my mom is Filipino. I remember the annoying, “She’s so cute…Is she yours?” questions to my Dad when I was young. I wish he responded with something witty to make them blush. Good point. Good read!

    Reply
  21. Sarah says

    March 25, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Only once has someone “got it”. They asked where my girls were from (and we had one extra kid that day) and I said–these two are from Wisconsin and this one is visiting from California. (all 3 were born in China–I’m not Asian) For a brief moment she looked confused, then realization of what she had done, then totally got it and said how fun it was to have friends come visit and have a great time together. Generally we get, “no, you know what I mean”. Yup, I do! When I got the ‘real mom’ question I have asked, “Which real mom are you talking about, her birthmom, her foster mom, or me? We’re all real.” Now that my girls are older (college and high school) we get less questions and comments, although the first day of college we got several?!

    Reply
  22. Colleen Lanin says

    July 1, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    Probably people would ask if someone had a boob job, because people are that stupid. ? There are so many dumb things we people say to each other all the time and I have said many of them. I know people (like me!) are just curious, but thank you for sharing why these questions and comments are rude and hurtful.

    Reply

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  1. Yes, My Adopted Kids Are 'Real' Brothers | News Cellar says:
    November 3, 2015 at 10:12 am

    […] author, and award winning writer, speaker and wine snob. She writes regularly on her blog, Ripped Jeans and Bifocals. You can keep up with her on Facebook and […]

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  2. Yes, My Adopted Kids Are 'Real' Brothers - DailyScene.comDailyScene.com says:
    November 3, 2015 at 11:56 am

    […] published author and award-winning writer, speaker and wine snob. She writes regularly on her blog, Ripped Jeans and Bifocals. You can keep up with her on Facebook and […]

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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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