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: 12-07-2003
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:47pm
5 hours round trip? I agree. 5 hours there and 5 hours back? Not so much.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:48pm

EVERY parent has discipline issues. Some deal with it and some don't. I deal with it. I pick my battles and my children will lose important things to them when they do something I do not feel is right. It is MY job to raise them to go out into the world as good people. Are they perfect? Absolutely not. I do punish which is more than many parents I have come across. Shrug.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:49pm

Nope 5 hours there, a few days stay, 5 hours back.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:50pm

i have to say that the past 2 years have been amazing with my daughter- no discipline issues to speak of that haven't been resolved quickly

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:50pm
That's not a day trip-- not if you are staying a few days.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2005
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:51pm

:smileyvery-happy:

LOL!





iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:51pm
Yes, my kids haven't lost their social networking or phone texting privileges yet. I monitor a subset of all their communications. And oh my, the girls text to my son.

How can I punish him for their inappropriate comments as he doesn't respond? (I don't, we just discuss it).
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:52pm
There would have to be extinuating circumstances for me to make a day trip that was 5 hours one way. I've done it, but I won't make a habit of it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2009
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:52pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2010
Wed, 12-29-2010 - 9:55pm
She's a great kid.

I'm very fortunate that we haven't really had any discipline issues either. The main thing that we deal with is some attitude, particularly in relation to her cycle. Thankfully, we all recognize it for what it is, and make the necessary adjustments.

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