I Don’t Think I Could Love an Adopted Child the Same Way I Love My Own

The reality is that I don’t love my kids the same because THEY aren’t the same. Their stories aren’t the same. Their needs and gifts and losses aren’t the same. My kids are unique and my love for each one of them is uniquely shaped and influenced by who they are and the kind of mom they need me to be. I don’t love them the same, although I do love them equally.

There are times I look in my son’s beautiful blue eyes and say, “I think you got those from my Grandma.” There are times I look in my daughter’s beautiful brown eyes and say, “Those look just like your birth dad’s beautiful brown eyes. Should we look at some pictures of him again today?” I don’t want to be afraid to point out their differences because of fear that my kids will interpret that to mean I love them less. They already know they’re different, but when we point out the beauty of those differences with love and affection for their history, it allows our children to embrace them.


Maralee Bradley
Maralee Bradley
Maralee is a mom of six pretty incredible kids ages 8 and under. Four were adopted (one internationally from Liberia, three through foster care) and two were biological surprises. Prior to becoming parents, Maralee and her husband were houseparents at a children’s home and had the privilege of helping to raise 17 boys during their five year tenure. Maralee is passionate about caring for kids, foster parenting and adoption, making her family a fairly decent dinner every night, staying on top of the laundry, watching ridiculous documentaries and doing it all for God’s glory. She would LOVE for you to join her at her blog A Musing Maralee, and on her Facebook page

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