Teaching tolerance to our kids
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| 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.


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I will split it with you--:smileyvery-happy:
My dh would NOT have one in his car. He uses an old fashioned map and doesn't understand why others need to have a GPS. I write down directions before I leave the house too. I just do not go by how long they estimate it takes. It is always, IME shorter than what they say (and YES, we go the speed limit or 5 miles above it just like the rest of the traffic for that roadway).
You KNOW this woman outside of ivillage?
:smileyhappy:
to reply to your edit,. i've heard of this and totally discourage it with my own 13 YO.
you know what i write over there, it's never stuff i wouldn't think was safe for my own to read.
And I wonder if fb even does anything about it. I doubt it so not sure why she goes through the time and energy to bother. I am sure the parents do not care either. I have no problem with my child being on there under the age of 13. I monitor the site and have made her de-friend people if I get to posts before she does (she is very good at de-friending people who are mean to others). There are WAY too many battles to pick. Children under the age of 13 posting on fb is not one of them that I would take up with their parents and fb. Unless it is harming the child or the child is harming you, MYOB.
Again, no. If the speed limit was 65, then 65-70, THE MOST.
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