Sandra Bullock has found the "right parent" to help her raise her two adopted children, Louis, 11, and Laila, 8, in her long-time boyfriend Bryan Randall, who is also a father to a daughter from a previous relationship.
The actress revealed in an episode of "Red Table Talk" that the love of her life has been a great example to the children, as he exudes "very Christian" values that make her glad she waited to expand her family.
Bullock met Randall in 2015 because she hired him as the photographer for her son's birthday. Early in their relationship, Bullock told her boyfriend that she had been planning to adopt another baby for some time, and he was happy and scared at the same time.
"His whole life had been unraveled because of me," the actress shared, adding that she thought Randall wouldn't want to be in her chaotic Hollywood life anymore. "But [he is] the right human being to be there."
It's the Children First
Bullock said that they don't always agree with each other as parents raising three kids together. However, she feels grateful that the children can learn from Randall and are very drawn to him.
Despite being together for six years, the actress has ruled out getting married again, following her painful divorce in 2010. She said she doesn't believe she needs a paper to prove that they are devoted partners or parents. They "think about the children first" is enough to remain tied to each other forever.
But having two white parents raising adopted Black children has its challenges. Bullock said she is "scared of everything" for Louis and Laila, but she keeps it honest with them, especially her son.
The protective mother said she wants Louis to "see everything" to understand how the world works and how cruel or unfair it is. As their mom, Bullock hopes that she has done an excellent job of teaching her kids when they are out in the world on their own.
Her children have been through many traumas before their adoption, especially Laila, who was a bit older when Bullock adopted her. The actress shared that Laila had been in three foster care systems before she was three years old, which took a toll on her.
Dealing with the Trauma
The actress said that there was a phase when Laila hid in the closet with food or she would tell her mother she would leave. However, Bullock didn't let this faze her as she helped Laila find the normalcy in her new life as someone's beloved daughter.
Statistics show that 20 percent of children in the foster care system experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bullock said that she saw the triggers of this trauma daily and then eventually understood that these were Laila's survival instincts.
Bullock also understands that these traumas will "come up for the rest of her life." However, she makes it a point to let Laila and her brother know that they can always come back home to their parents.
