Families come in all shapes, sizes, and types. This is something we were told as children, and it’s something many of us reinforce with our own kiddos, but there are still so many ways the world assumes that “parents” are “mom and dad.”
As I’m sure we’re all aware, some kids don’t have a mom or a dad. Some only have one. Some have two of one and none of the other.
This Instagram post reinforces the idea that, by using the term “moms and dads,” teachers and other adults, need to do more as far as remembering to be inclusive and welcoming of all types of families.
Teachers, ur class convos are broadcasted in everyone’s homes. The # of times the teacher has said “your mom and dad” to my kid’s class is infuriating. But a BRAVE kid just said…”But I only told my grandma at lunch time because my sister and I live with our grandma.”
— Sirry Alang, PhD (she/her) (@ProfAlang) September 8, 2020
The post uses a screengrab of a tweet from Sirry Aland, PhD.
“Teachers, your class convos are broadcasted in everyone’s homes. The # of times the teacher has said ‘your mom and dad’ to my kid’s class is infuriating. But a BRAVE kid just said… ‘But I only told my grandma at lunchtime because my sister and I live with our grandma.”
Little sweetheart standing up for everyone like him, who was probably annoyed and a little confused about why the teacher was acting like his family wasn’t a real family.
The post encourages everyone who works with children to consider saying “your grown-ups” instead of “your mom and dad,” or “your parents.” It’s a simple switch but, like with everything new, might take some getting used to.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7hpz4lqHE/?utm_source=ig_embed
I know we can all do it, though, because if we work with kids, we care about kids – all of them, regardless of their situation.
As the post also points out, adult language and the way adults embrace a reality can make all of the difference to a little one still trying to make sense of things.
Give it a try; I know I will!