Who do I count as my child?

Originally posted on the Grow Christians site here.

The other day at work, I had a routine interaction with a coworker that left me feeling unsettled. The woman is new to my organization, and we had an orientation meeting so I could provide an overview of the projects I work on that will overlap with hers. At the end of the meeting, as we walked out of the conference room, I asked about her family. She told me about her 12-year-old daughter and then asked me if I have any kids.

I paused. My hesitation has become typical in these situations; for the past several years, I have become unsure how to answer this question.

How many kids do I have? One? Three? One and three-quarters? Two and a half? I’m never quite sure how to calculate who I have a right to claim as my own.

Read the complete post for free here.