Teaching tolerance to our kids

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2010
Teaching tolerance to our kids
1822
Mon, 12-27-2010 - 4:06pm

The discussion in the other thread about gay marriage (OK, it wasn’t so much a discussion as an attack on granitestategal, plus the last time I checked it had devolved into mumbling and maniacal laughter...time to move on!) got me to thinking about this new generation of kids and how things have changed for them. Technology has exploded, and kids are more connected than ever before. They’re also disconnected in a whole new way, but this thread isn’t about that. I’d like to know what we are teaching our kids as far as tolerance for other religions, races and lifestyles.

My parents were brought up by parents who were extremely prejudiced against non-Catholics and non-whites. My great-grandparents must not have passed along the lessons they’d learned as immigrants themselves. The town we lived in was predominantly white and Catholic, and up until high school I didn’t know anyone who was black, Jewish, Hispanic, or gay*. When I moved away from home, I was blown away by how different people outside my little world really were, and fascinated by it. I was, and am, determined to raise my kids to respect and appreciate the differences of others and to understand that deep down we really aren’t that different.

A few years ago when DS was 4, we ran into the husband of a co-worker at a music festival. My co-worker is also male. I probably went overboard in my introduction, but I wanted to get the point across that it’s perfectly OK for some families to consist of 2 dads or 2 moms, or one parent, or parents of different races/religions.

Kevali


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:11pm

Oh, I am quite sure she has no clue. :smileywink:

Kevali


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2005
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:11pm

Yeah, to go 400 miles in 4.5 hours at 65 mph, she would have to drive the first 293 miles and then travel the rest of the way by portkey.





iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:20pm
I'm a mean mom. My kids know that we make two stops, and two stops only, when we travel to my mom's. I am a destination oriented traveler...I want to get where I'm going, the faster the better, lol.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:23pm
Yep, I've denied friend requests from *underage* kids, with a message telling them facebook rules, and that I can't be friends with someone who shouldn't be on facebook at all. I send their parents the same message. Then, I report the page to facebook.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:30pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:34pm
Yeah, I can understand that. I'm a rule follower, to a fault. It's one of my more endearing quirks. :) Most people get that about me, and are not *too* offended.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:38pm

Right you will just give out personal information that you or your dh drives

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:38pm
with a kid in the car!
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:43pm

And with a stop in there, it makes it about 94 mph.

“Clearly," said Arthur,"you're an idiot- but you're our kind of idiot. Come on.” 
― Markus ZusakThe Book Thief

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 3:48pm

Evidently good road conditions can over come the facts of speed and distance.

“Clearly," said Arthur,"you're an idiot- but you're our kind of idiot. Come on.” 
― Markus ZusakThe Book Thief

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