Now we knew we would be dealing with this type of thing eventually but not so soon. The kids in Grace's preschool are three and four years old. We have to assume that this child was just repeating something she heard at at home. We don't blame the kid, it is obviously the parents that need a little education.
The teachers at Grace's school are really good but we realize that not everybody is as familiar with Positive Adoption Language as we are so we printed out a couple adoption language documents to bring in to school on Monday. Jen had a conversation with one of the teachers on Monday and to say the teacher was surprised would be an understatement. She totally got why this was an issue and was very supportive. She told us she would keep an eye out for future conversations of this type between the kids and would be sure to correct any of them if it comes up again. Unfortunately you can't teach the parents proper adoption language but hopefully if a kid is corrected at school this will find its way back home and make the parents think twice about the conversations that have with or in front of their children.
We were really happy with the way the school handled our concerns but still were a bit shocked that this has come up so soon..... Since this was kind of a downer post I will sign off with a cute pic of Grace...
5 comments:
Glad the school is so supportive. I think that the more people encounter mixed race families, the less stuff like this will happen, so Grace is probably blazing a trail for others to come and doesn't even know it.
oh ouch, that must have been tough. Good for you for being so proactive with the school!
My heart broke, when Mom told me this whole thing occured. I seriously can't believe (well Yes, I can) that people can be so ignorant. It's just infuriating. As parents, you two, do an AWESOME job with explaining things to Grace in a way a three-year old can understand. She is such an intelligent, loving and happy little girl! I'll tell ya, I would love to have a few choice, but educational words with that Mom and/or Dad!! So glad Jen talked to the teachers, and they are really super-teachers so I am sure they will keep a close eye and intervene appropriately! XOXO
My heart sank too as I read this. I follow your blog all the time and you can tell that you are very happy loving parents who love Grace to pieces. You handled this great. I know too that this situation is in my future. We have a beautiful 3-1/2 year old daughter, Jill. She goes to pre-school. I hope that she can handle things like this in the future. keep up the good work! Grace is beautiful!
I read your blog and I find this a frustrating too. I have a 4-yr old and I know the type of conversation they have in preschool. I know that many parents don't know what is a right thing to tell including me. I sometime do tell my preschooler something not knowing how it will play out. Parents sometimes don't do something maliciously but it plays out that way so I guess it is a good idea that the teacher is atleast looking out. Sometimes the kids themselves figure out things. My daughter sometimes comment on color of the skin, or the looks, resemblence etc. and we don't talk all that at home.
You are awsome parents irrespective!!!
Shobhna
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