Today I had another visit to an elementary school to talk about my book, about writing, and about adoption. I spoke to four 2nd grade classes and a 1st grade class. That was a lot! Once again, the kids asked wonderful, insightful questions. But for the first time I was also asked some questions that gave me pause.

Here we go. Things that made me go 'urm?'

When you buy a baby for adoption, how much does it cost?

Did a baby die in your belly? If a baby died in a mom's belly and you were going to adopt it, what would happen then?

Is an adoptive parent like a stepparent?

Aren't all stepparents mean?

When did your son become really your son?

Do adopted people look funny or different?

This last one was from the teacher, and I think she meant it so that I would say no, of course not, but me being me I had to mention transracial adoption which would mean that yes, adopted people sometimes do look different from their parents but that doesn't mean they're weird or any different from babies that are born from their parents.

Needless to say, I am exhausted. But it's also my last school visit for a while (next time I am hoping it'll be a paying gig) and I'm sure in a week or so I'll miss the little devils darlings.