America’s Favorite Mom update

In response to the concerns raised by many moms, Teleflora is immediately changing the name of the "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.

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

Public Relations

May 10, 2008

teleflora news
Permalink

Email a friend

Comments (8)

Comments

matt martin

It is disturbing to me that you say your president and owner are adoptive parents and yet this Non-Mom nomenclature still was used in your contest. I think it shows a general ignorance of adoptive, foster and step mothers/families. But since the overarching intent of your company's campaign is to categorize, judge and advertise, it's not surprising. I personally will not use your company or recommend it to others in the future. This was a gross oversight as I see it. I wonder how many people in your company had to agree to the Non-Mom category - that just makes me sad.

Just a father, not really trying to win any prizes, just deciding when to speak up for my family and the mother of my children.

Martha

The revised comments concerning the non mom category does little to correct the original blunder of categorizing us moms who have adopted our children.

Why is it that we are being shuttled to the "other" category? Why does it matter that my child did not come out of my body? Does that mere omission make me less of a mother?

Perhaps the company president and owner should step up and do a little more than craft some empty, patronizing message how we are still moms.

If that's the case, why not include us with moms who parent their bio kids?

So who's going to tell my son that I am only a non mom?

Kerri

It is ridiculous to modify "mom" w/ adoptive. Completely irrelevant and insulting.

Shirley Thomas

What a wonderful thing to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sincerely hope that no NON-MOMs received your flowers! I would want my NON-SONs (by your definitions) to support your competitors! More than 2% of the children today are adopted. Many more are in foster homes. There is generally at least one in every classroom. If NO ONE who worked on the ad campaign found this to be insensitive, it is indeed a sad organization!

Matt

We have a child, adopted from China in 2006. I am not a non-dad, my wife is non a non-mom, and our daughter is not a non-child. Neither is my wife and I "adopting" parents. We have adopted, but we are not adopting.

Why have a special category for adopting parents? What difference is it to anyone about biology? Teleflora -- get a clue, people. Nix the "adopting mom" category -- it's ridiculous.

PCH

Ironically, the woman who won the Adopting Mom category has never adopted any children.

My mother is not an "adopting mom", she is my mother and I will no longer patronize any of the sponsors of this contest.

Elaine

The change that came "In response to the concerns raised by many moms" is a 'Non-point' and should never have required "closer examination" as the terminology used was insensitive and demoralizing to all of us who have chosen to give life to others in a multitude of ways. As a "Non-Grandma", I have experienced the pain and emotional torment that my daughter and son-in-law have gone through on their journey from infertile issues to the wonder of parenting 2 precious Asian children. They are no more "Non-parents" than anyone who has ever conceived a child -- as a matter of fact, they are so much MORE as parents than many people who have produced children biologically.

Comments are closed