"Non-mom" update

Well the voices of a few thousand moms were heard. Teleflora and the America's Favorite Mom sent the following apology.

"In response to your concerns, Teleflora is immediately changing the name of our "Non-Mom" category to "Adopting Moms." After closer examination, we can see how this may have been offensive to moms who have adopted children -- moms who are indeed real moms to their children in every sense of the word. In fact, many of us at Teleflora are "adopting" parents ourselves, including our president and owner. The essence of this category still focuses on a
grandparent, neighbor, step mom, or mom to adopted or foster children, each one raising and loving a child.

This show of insensitivity on our part was in no way intended and we deeply apologize for any concern or distress we may have caused. It was always our intent to salute and celebrate all moms.

In closing, all of us at Teleflora would like to offer our sincerest best wishes to all the many women throughout the world who have worked so hard and given so much to earn the name "Mom."

Sincerely,
The America's Favorite Mom Team"

Ok, so they changed the category to "The Adopting Mom"... why do I not feel all better?? Well, I'm glad to know I'm no longer a "Non-Mom" mom, but it still stings a little to find that once again I can't just be "mom". No, I will always fight the label that marks me as different ... different from those who gave birth to their children. Why can't the "adopting" mom just be listed with all the other moms? Why must we be singled out?

Even though I feel this little sting, in a way I welcome it. Why? Because it helps me realize a little bit of what my beautiful children will feel through out their lives. The sting every time someone says "Do you have any children of your OWN?" "They're so lucky you adopted them!" "This is Miriam/Evan, Danielle adopted daughter/son." "How much did you pay for them?" And the list goes on and on... always labeled, always called out as different, often counted as second best.

I want to protect them forever from this. But I can't. So somehow I have to help them deal with the little hurts and the not so little ones. But that's what real moms do for their real children.