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My daughter loves to read "And Tango Makes Three," although we haven't read it in quite some time. She loves penguins and thinks that lil Tango is "oh, so cute!" Through the book and other real life interactions I believe that she has a good grasp on the idea that families come in many different varieties. But I've been intentional in this part of her life. What if I hadn't been?

The reality is that she might have grown up to expect all families to look the same. A momma and a papa. Maybe even living in the same home too. Of course there's nothing wrong with that - That's how our family is crafted. But not my colleague Keesha's family. 

Chicago Parent recently profiled her family and the bullying that her daughters have faced. It's a bit ironic that this bullying happens in Chicago. A city where I feel like I escaped to from suburban living where I grew up not thinking that families looked different or that other religions existed among my friends. One reason we stay in Chicago is for all the "diversity."

In the profile, Janean, Keesha's partner suggests that schools incorporate diverse families into the curriculum. Of course, the more conservatives among us will yelp that teaching kindergarteners about "alternative lifestyles" is a horrible idea. It's amazing how predictable some people are...A decade after "Heather Has Two Mommies" and we're still worried about teaching our kids that difference is not to be feared.

Instead of classes, I suggest that school libraries stock up on books that feature same sex parents, text books show same sex couples parenting, and even story books that don't focus on *** or gay parents, have them in the background. I've noticed how often a kid in a wheelchair pops up in the backgrounds of my daughter's books. Essentially I don't think we need to address same sex parents directly - at least not in the early grades - just have them be there, all around. Once we start to see things on an every day basis, we aren't so fearful of them. Once we start to talk to kids about s-e-x, we can include same sex couples without advocating for "alternative lifestyles."

But we should also be teaching our children to never bully or taunt other children no matter what. Now that I think we should all agree on from pre-school at the very least.

Veronica clearly recalls her 5th grade teacher lecturing her on bullying and teasing and vows to make sure her daughter doesn't repeat that mistake. Veronica also blogs at Viva La Feminista, WIMN's Voices, and Work it, Mom!