Whenever I read to arabella about princesses and princes I think the same thing "why is the girl always being saved by a guy? And Why aren't there books about two princes or two princesses?". As I'm sure all my readers know I really really want Arabella to be comfortable with all different kinds of families. Seth and I both do. We want books for her about kids who only have one parent, we want books about families who have adopted, we want books about same sex parents, and we want books with girls being strong without a guy rescuing them.
As much as we teach her in life it's important to make sure that what we read to her everyday backs those things up. Books make such a huge impression on her. If we try to convey that it's good that we are all different and that she is strong and doesnt need to be saved by a guy but only read to her about one family type or about getting rescued by a prince, we're sending her mixed signals.
I found this site (http://www.examiner.com/x-4158-Austin-Gay-Parenting-Examiner~y2009m2d24-7-Books-for-children-featuring-samesex-families) and I'm really excited because there are a few books we really want on here. I'm sure that next I'll find good books with single parent families, interracial families and adoptive families.
I love love love being able to teach a sweet little girl how to love all people and accept all people. It's the best feeling for me.
Sorry the link is just straight up, it's my iPhone.
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13 comments:
I am not sure that is the right link... unless you are trying to prove God's existence with a banana! I am really interested in seeing the link you intended however... I am always looking inclusive books.
Omfg. That is so freaking hilarious I can't even deal with it. I'll fix it now but for anyone who comes later and wants to see the video she just mentioned...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF3L359yKjs&feature=youtube_gdata
Haha. Ya, I was gonna say... Definitely not the right link...
i couldn't agree with you more! this is one thing that has always bugged me about Disney. its all about the helpless girl and the strong man. the girl is never whole until he comes along. of course, i think they have made a few exceptions to this rule...mulan? i cant think of anymore off the top of my head...
i think about the fact that i have a boy and am somewhat relieved that i don't have to deal with the whole princess thing...at least for now...cause i definitely know i would have an issue reading these kinds of books over and over as we do with the ones we have.
this makes me think about twilight. the other day on some news channel they were talking about the series and saying how bad of a message it was for young girls. yes its supposed to be fantasy but the message is clear: girl is worthless and wants to die without her big strong man around. when he is with her, she is full of life. when he is gone, she is dead inside. cool.
we eat it up like candy. we all have to check and evaluate the messages the media wants us to consume, even if they seem to be harmless.
Jessica brought up twilight. I know I'm a bit but not far off topic but... If you support twilight then you support one of if not the biggest anti gay group. Mormons. It's not just a coincidence when that damn movie hit the silver screen. She be funding the anti-gay movement with her little love stories. Just sayin...
Vanessa, while that's horrible and stressful, pretty much everyday my money goes to things I don't believe in in ways I'm not aware of. It's the way our world works. There are a bunch of things that Mormons support and promote and spend their money on that I completely agree with... It's give and take, but what matters to me is how I affect and love the people around me most of all cause that's something I can have control over and it's a way I can really act out what I believe.
Also on the subject of twilight as far as teenagers Id probably let mine read it, because by the time my girls are that age they will have a firm foundation of what love should look like. As far as adults reading it, totally fine. For me it's a stay at home mothers escape :) which makes sense because a stay at home mother wrote it!
Agreed. I obviously can't sit here and say that every penny I spend is ethical. I mean sometimes I even shop at wal-mart. They do roll back all those damn prices. I'm just still so angered about the outcome of prop. 8. Being in the Bay area bubble. I was in complete dis belief when I stood on Castro in SF with all my gays in hopes that we would create another moment in History that night. Then on the huge massive screens slowly lost hope. Thankfully everybar was blasting Gaga and Britney and the party went on. The gays do get over things quicker than I. I guess that night just couldn't be perfect. I just can't help but be frustrated by the commercials that the mormons funded. You seeming to be a very smart girl know how ignorent people can be. How persueded by the media they can be. But bringing back to topic... I think it's faboulous you are raising your children with such a broad perspective!!! I wish that other moms would get on board with that.
that's a trip about twilight being funded by mormons. another reason for me to be annoyed completely by it. i mean the writing is mediocre and the love story is totally adolescent. why in the world are people so many people in every age range obsessed?? i truly do not get it!!
that's amazing that you got to be a part of that night in SF vanessa. too bad it hasn't happened just yet, but one day it will. soon lets hope.
skylana you have a good point. by the time ur little ones are grown they will probably have no problem reading something like twilight and taking it with a grain of salt. because being raised with the kind of awareness you want to give them, they will probably hold no interest in cheesy love stories that cater to one idealized version of how love is supposed to look.
Your comment in reply to Vanessa is a great description of our society. It's overwhelming to think about all the things going on behind the scenes of marketing.
i love this. absolutely one hundred percent love this. i am so glad that ara and nola will have the right attitude towards not only straight or gay but all different types of people from all over. what a wonderful idea. i want to write a kid's book now about all types of family.
Skylana....why don't you write a book for them?
I was waiting for someone to make Amanda's comment
"King and King" is a children's book about a king who is gay and marry's a man.
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