My Question of the Day for 18 January 2010
My Question of the Day: Every other Friday, a parent has the option to volunteer to read to your child’s preschool class during story hour. Before s/he can do so, s/he must inform the teacher what book s/he plans to read. The teacher then sends permission slips home with each student that lists the name of the book to be read, the parent reading the book and asking you to check “yes” or “no” to your child participating in that story hour.
Your preschooler comes home with a permission slip that states the next reading will be by so-and-so’s parent and the book s/he will be sharing with the class is Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman. The story hour is a week and a half away and the permission slip has to be returned in three days. What do you do?
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After signing the permission slip, I would have a talk with my little crumb snatcher. As a parent, I want to raise children who are sensitive and fair; thinkers; respectful; diverse on all topics. I will not shelter them. Therefore, I will teach them about all forms of relationships and give them my perspective as well as what the Bible says and what the world says.
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LikeDislikeThanks for your input, Queen B.
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LikeDislikeI agree with Gloria. I will teach my kids about whatever they ask about because, without guidance from me, they will seek out answers on their own. Sometimes, that’s not a good idea.
I have no problem with same-sex couples, but I wouldn’t want to have that topic thrust upon my pre-schooler if they had no frame of reference for it.
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LikeDislikeThanks for your input, Sheen.
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LikeDislikeI, personally, think that this topic is not age appropriate for preschoolers. Our children live in a diverse world with diverse cultures but age appropriateness should be the question. There are thousands of books that are more appropriate. What’s the rationale for the school, teacher, and parent-reader, necessity to introduce this topic to preschoolers? Parents should be the child’s first teacher and I would prefer to be the teacher to teach my child/grand child about same sex couples. I would opt out and read a book about ballerinas or Dr. Seuss.
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LikeDislikeThanks for your input, Joyce.
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LikeDislikeI would allow my child to listen to the story. If, and I do believe my child would have many questions about the book. I would have a copy of the book on hand to read to my child and answer any questions my child might have. Childen are alot smarter today than they were ten or fifteen years ago. Thanks, to the media they are exposed to every thing. I am embrassed by some of the trash I see on televison.
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LikeDislikeThanks for your input, Bettye.
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LikeDislikeWhether I agree with the topic discussed in the book or not, it remains a reality in our world. The true question here is if the child has expressed an interest in the topic. I’ve raised my children in this way: If you’re old enough to ask the question, you’re old enough to get a real honest answer. After giving my children the “facts” free of “slant.” They always asked: But what do you believe? That’s when I can tell them what I believe and why. I don’t see anything wrong with the book if chidren have questions about this already, as it’s a great way to elicit questions and garner knowledge on real families in our world. However, if the book is being offered to children who haven’t expressed questions on same sex parents, then it’s inappropriate to be read in a group setting.
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LikeDislikeThanks for your input, Gloria.
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LikeDislikeYes – people are people and my children need to know about everyone in the world. I want my children to know that we are tolerant and there is room for everyone in the world no matter what they look like or how they live their lives. Intolerance is the cause of a little war over in the Middle East. No more, time to live and let live.
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LikeDislikeThanks for your comment, Melissa.
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LikeDislikeAbsolutely not! I do not even agree that same sex couples should raise child. Of course, my impression is that we are referring to same sex situation. Even if we’re talking about a mom, plus step-mother I do not agree w/ the message of that title.
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LikeDislikeThanks for your input, Kesha.
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