Oftentimes when we meet someone who doesn’t live with a mom and dad, we wonder why. It’s not very polite to ask a person why he doesn’t live with his mom and dad, and why he lives with this alternate family. He’ll probably tell you why when he’s ready to. Also when he sees that you’re not going to think differently of him because he lives in a different type of family. There is no reason to think differently of him.

It’s perfectly ok for him to live in an alternate family just like it’s perfectly ok for you to live in a traditional family. If this family he is living in gives him the love and support he needs, and they are happy, then where would there be a problem? This family obviously is the best set-up for him, for whatever reason, and it’s just as good of a family as any other.

If you have a friend who lives in an alternate family, don’t ask him where his mom or dad is. That will make him uncomfortable, and he’ll probably tell you on his own time when he is ready. There’s nothing for you to feel uncomfortable about around his family, but it’s a very rude thing to ask about. It’s the same as if he did live with a traditional family, and there is nothing to feel weird about. So just be there for him if he does want to talk to you about it, and let him know that he’s still your friend no matter what kind of family set-up he lives in, traditional or alternate. The best thing you can do is be his friend, and soon you’ll learn firsthand just how wonderful an alternate family can be.