M.M. Lyons is an adopted child who is very intentional about the words she uses to talk about herself, her adoptive family, and her biological parents. One word that she avoids using to describe her biological parents is "real".

"The word 'real' in this manner is used most often by people who have little or no experience with adoption. Although the mistake is an innocent one... my attention to correcting the mistake is fairly strict..."

Lyons' main concern is that certain words "frame the context" of an adopted child's relationship with parents and siblings. The words you choose can help others who are less familiar with adoption understand that it's a pleasant, joyful way to build a family. Read more online.