Finally, a sensible answer to the question of explaining LGBT families to young children. A reader of the Seattle Times asks:
How much information is appropriate to give young children (6-8 years) about gay families?
Evidently, my daughter has a gay family in her classroom, and I want her to understand and be tolerant. She asked specifically how a mommy gets a baby with no daddy.
The writer, Jan Faull, gives a direct and appropriate answer: “You need only tell your child that families come in many forms. . . .” She also asks if the parent knows the details of how the same-sex parents created their family, and suggests simple ways of explaining this to young children. Finally, she notes “If you sidestep the question, your child will get the message that you’re uncomfortable and will protect you from further embarrassment by asking someone else.”
Worth reading the whole article, then printing for friends and teachers. You can also write to Faull to thank her for her positive answer at: janfaull@aol.com.
(Thanks to Cathy Renna of Renna Communications for the link.)
I really like that. I’m planning to be proactive and talk to my kids about how there are so many kinds of families…and that they’re all based on the people loving each other.
Sort of like in the classic Heather Has Two Mommies where all the kids draw pictures of their families. That’s really all kids need to know.
You said it! If more people thought like you, the world would be a much better place.
what a wonderful woman to be so open and caring. What lucky children they are too to getting the best kind of parenting there is. I am not a mother YET (we’re still waiting for the results of the ICI) but I came across a book by Todd Parr called It’s ok to be Different. I bought it for my newphew (who is mixed) it goes over all types of children including those with two mommies or Daddies. Just something you might want to have on the shelf.
We have two children ages 5 and 8. Both of us volunteer at their school and it has come up as to who really is their MOM or are you both their MOM.
Our answer is that all families are different. Most have a girl and boy parent, but others have only one parent. And others have two parents who are girls or two parents who are boys. Some kids are raised by their Grandparents or Aunts and Uncles.
Every family is different, but they are all the same in that families love, care and look out for each other.
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We are fortunate in that my cousin was an unwed mother. The child’s father is not known.
So of course he was very curious about our situation.
His mom explained that every family is different; some children have a mum and a dad, some have both, some have four, some only have one. But that as long everybody loves one another, things are great. I thought that was a great answer and it’s the answer that I’ve used so far.
All the Todd Parr books are great. Meesha my boy by Kaithlyn Considine is also a good one.
please send supportive notes to this columnist – i can assure you she is getting hate mail….