A Senstive Issue

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I am a registered user but logged out.

I need some advice.

I just enrolled a 3 year old girl. Perfect little angel. Perfect family. My issue? The parents are a female couple. Don't get me wrong. I ADORE this family. I think they are totally awesome.

Our theme of the month of family is coming up. I usually give the children books about family. Do you think it would be appropriate if I gave a book about a Mama and a Mommy? I found a lot of good books on Amazon that I would love to gift.

WWYD?

[mrsnj]

Hummm since this is a touchy subject, I am thinking that I would stay away from it. It is a hard decision. On one hand you want the child with two mommies to feel it is ok and their family is normal and all families are made up differently On the other hand you might be opening a door to others beliefs that you might not want.

You could maybe send a letter out talking about the book? My childrens school does this with sensitive topics. Then you will openly know if it is ok or not with everyone?

Humm interested to see other suggestions on this one........

[SilverSabre25]

Maybe something like this: All Kinds of Families or this Who's in a Family? ?

[blandino]

My kids have been talking about this a lot lately. While playing dress up, they will want to get married. Some kids innocently say that "sally wants to marry jane". Undoubtedly someone will correct them and say "you need a boy and a girl to get married". And I am looked to for the answer...

I won't say "boys need to marry girls" and vice versa. At risk of offending some parents belief systems (and my own). And I know some parents would be offended if I offered up the idea that you can marry whoever you want.

My go to answer is "If you think you need a boy and a girl to get married, then play that way - and if you think two girls/two boys can get married, then play that way". It's nothing spectacular... but it serves my purposes while (hopefully) not offending anyone.

[Willow]

Maybe change it up and have them create their own books about family instead of gifting each child with one?

Provide them paper to create all kinds of pages about their parents, pets, extended family, daycare "family" and friends and then show them how to lace in a binding.

[Crazy In Mo]

Would you be giving that particular book to just that little girl or all the kids? I think that the female couple would LOVE that book and that you too the time to find that book. I wouldn't however give the Mama and Mommy book to all the kids.

[Starburst]

well you don't really have to point out how that child's family is different espesually if the family is not too open about it with other parents at you daycare also remember that the families and the children have a right to privacy and confedentiality to not be singled out. Maybe focus more on how all families are different in gerneral and how everyone themselves is different and that it's okay to be different. There is actually a book called 'its okay to be different' its really good and points out how everyone is unique.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/10764227?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem

But I would probably just have the kids make a book about their own families and since they made it its even more special. Or you can try to find a book that suits each child's family. Like for that family give them that book for hetero family give them a book that fits their family for a divorced family give them a book on a kid with two home. and for a single parent family give them a book about a family with a single parent. and if they live with their grandparents/aunt/uncle give them a book about someone who lives with their grandparents/aunt/uncle (you get the idea).

[frgsonmysox]

Personally, I'd give the book to all families. Having two mommy's isn't wrong. NOT including this girls family into the mix because some people have backwards beliefs is not right. Some people don't agree with interracial marriage, but I sure as heck wouldn't keep a child from knowing about it just because some people can't handle the fact that families come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and genders.

[Meyou]

I would read books about all types of families. Multigenerational, stepfamilies, adopted families, blended families, traditional families and families with same sex parents.

[mrsnj]

I like that make your own book idea. Nice

[Springdaze]

I would have them make books. I wouldnt like the subject introduced at that age and even with a note, I would be uncomfortable saying my opinion. hey, my kids are almost 7 and 10 and still dont know what to tell them!

[Scout]

I am a registered user but logged out.

I need some advice.

I just enrolled a 3 year old girl. Perfect little angel. Perfect family. My issue? The parents are a female couple. Don't get me wrong. I ADORE this family. I think they are totally awesome.

Our theme of the month of family is coming up. I usually give the children books about family. Do you think it would be appropriate if I gave a book about a Mama and a Mommy? I found a lot of good books on Amazon that I would love to gift.

WWYD?

If you are covering it in class I would most definately get it for her. I am sure that they will have to cover with her one day before school starts that her family is unique but, that all families are unique and that isn't a bad thing.

[Luna]

I've done backup care for a two-mom family and we have two-mom neighbours and when I first read the post I thought this is a non-issue in my mind. While reading the responses however I can see how it could be a real hornet's nest.

I'm not sure i understand correctly, but you are gifting each child with a book? If that's the case I would gift each child a book specific to their family...even better is the idea of the children making their own book. Thinking of my own small group, there are so many different kinds of families I can't imagine one book would suit them all.

This is something I haven't given much thought to before, thank you for bringing it up.

[CedarCreek]

I agree with either making their own books or doing a book about all types of families.

Whether anyone feels that its right or wrong that some kids have 2 mommies doesn't really matter.

Its just a fact.

[SquirrellyMama]

I agree with either making their own books or doing a book about all types of families.

Whether anyone feels that its right or wrong that some kids have 2 mommies doesn't really matter.

Its just a fact.

It is a fact but it does matter what people think. I believe that parents should be given the option to be the ones to discuss this with their kids first. I'm not sure if there is a way for you to do that or not.

ETA: I don't think kids should be able to spout off hatred either but just because someone has a different opinion doesn't mean they are wrong. I believe we are all entitled to our opinions. It all depends on how they express it.

K