[redhedded]

More than likely most of the rude, intrusive, and hurtful comments will be coming out of the mouths of people you know, ie., family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, your hairdresser, your neighbor, etc. Just think about it . . . . when you see a family that is clearly an adoptive family (we’ll just say a CC couple with an Indian, Chinese or AA toddler) do you feel compelled to start firing away and making rude comments to them about how their family was created? Now certainly there are people out there who would do this, and maybe I’m just giving us humans too much credit, but I don’t think most people really want to approach strangers and issue insensitive comments about that person’s family and how it was created. On the other hand, your family member, friend, or co-worker, etc., are more likely to feel comfortable enough to ask the questions or make the types of comments that will send you overboard. IMO, it’s not the “strangers” you have to worry about protecting yourself and your family from, but it’s the “strangers you know.”

Just wanted to say that every single rude and insensitive and offensive remark that has ever been made to us came from a total stranger. They walked up and spewed their venom without provocation or prior relationship. So, I for one, believe that it is very often the total strangers in your life who will try to force their unkind view or judgment on you. Be prepared for them. Fortunately, we just spent a lovely week in New Orleans where we were received warmly (and told what a beautiful family we were) by every single soul that we encountered.