Lena and her buddy were bouncing the trampoline discussing deep philosophical five-year-old matters like who can do a higher jump and whose twist was "wicked cooler". Eavesdropping provides a cornucopia of hilarity for me. So I hunker into a chair on my porch and unabashedly listen to their prattle. Without warning, the conversation takes a mature turn. The girls are in a heated debate about whether girls can marry girls, boys can marry boys. They concede that they are both ok with same sex marriage but they can't come to an agreement about child rearing for same sex couples. My daughter says they can have kids; her friend says it's not "apwopwiate". Suddenly they invite me into the conversation to sound off with my adult point of view about their debate.
Yes, I once informed my best friend Beth's young daughter Lara that she had to wash the makeup off her face after a dance competition or else she would look like a transvestite. Which she responded "Twace, what's a 'vestite'?"
And, yes, I also told Beth's other daughter Bria that she looked like a pimp in a hat she was trying on while we were shopping for New Year's Eve favors. And, she yelled "I look like a pimp?!?" which didn't at all make all the revelers in the store stare daggers into my soul. I am pretty much an expert at crossing into verboten conversations with tiny people, right? (And also makes me wonder why my best friend still talks to me...)
Expert or not, I was completely unprepared to answer the cherubic faces staring me down in my backyard. I certainly have an opinion - it's highly charged topic of conversation and people generally strongly believe one way or the other. But, is it appropriate for me to impart my beliefs about a controversial topic with someone else's young child? Especially since they can't even pronounce the word "appropriate?"
I have to make a decision quickly as four blue eyes are pleading with me to choose in their direction of belief. Panic sets in. Sweat drips down my brow and into my eye. I feverishly blink. And do the mature, responsible thing: I break into a sweet rendition of "The Circle of Life" from Lion King complete with a lyrical dance and jazz hands. And then I fake an emergency in the kitchen.
I don't know what the right thing to do is. If they were teenagers I would absolutely give my opinion. But, they're 5. Lena knows how both her father and I feel about all these controversial topics (and we don't always agree). Is it right to impart my beliefs about controversial topics onto a kindergartner? I decided that it was safer to stage a grease fire on the stove and run away than to risk my friendship with Lena's buddy's Mom.
What do you think?
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Good question... on the one hand, standing up for your beliefs is a valuable lesson to be learned, even if your beliefs are not popular. On the other hand, I'd be upset, for instance, if another adult tried to convince my son that God isn't real. In this instance, I would probably have said something like, "Being gay doesn't make someone less able to love children" and gone to check on that grease fire.
ReplyDeleteYup. If they were older, without a doubt I would have given my opinion. But, at 5, I'm not sure they're really ready to make their own educated choices about this. And, I like her mom and would be sad if she stopped her daughter from coming over to play because my beliefs don't align with hers. Maybe we will cross that bridge in first grade... ;)
DeleteThat is a tough one. I think I have handled the conversation the exact same way you did. I wouldn't want to say something and it be the exact opposite of the parents beliefs. Especially this topic. People are either for or against it. There really isn't any wiggle room on the matter. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI certainly don't remember having this discussion with my kindergarten friends. We were very busy roller skating and cutting the hair off our Barbies. Times sure are a changin'!
DeleteI would of definitely changed the conversation. I am all about dancing like a crazy person or singing loudly to get out of uncomfortable question. Especially if they are not my kids. It is one thing to educate your own kids but at such a young age I would of done what you did. Maybe told the parents when they picked up their kid later in the day.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even mention it. I figure it must be a topic they feel differently about in their home than I do since she said she thought it was "inapwopwiate." But, next time I'll just suggest that we go inside and make a slushie magic. That should deter the topic!
DeleteYes, that's definitely a quandary. Especially when or if you disagree with another's point of view. I have had similar situations here with 6 years olds about such topics as religion and Santa. I try to be diplomatic and change the subject. I always tell my now 8 year old that everyone is entitled to their beliefs even if they are not the same as ours. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Kids should learn early on that it's ok to have different opinions. That's one of the great things about individuality. That having been said, I don't want someone to let the cat out of the bag for things we believe have magic in them (Santa, Tooth Fairy, etc.). So, sometimes even a big mouth like me has to tread lightly!
DeleteI don't know what I would have done. My 6yo doesn't even know what gay is! Changing the subject sounds like a smart move, though. Especially since you can't ask a 5yo "Why would that be inappropriate?" and expect an answer. Or could you?
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is that the word "gay" was never mentioned. It was mostly because they were talking about who they would marry when they were older. And, my daughter would certainly articulate why she thinks something is inappropriate. She just doesn't allow others a difference of opinion...
DeleteI definitely would have tried to change the subject or fake an emergency in the other room. I'm okay going there with my own kids, but you never know what kind of minefield you are walking into with someone else's. And anyway, I think in the hospital paperwork I got when bringing my kids home there was something in there about me legally only being allowed to mess up my own kids.
ReplyDeleteYeah, a good grease fire will bring most conversations to a standstill... But, I didn't want to be outlawed at the playgroup for being that weird liberal chick. I already press my luck by being the loud, really chatty lady who curses a lot.
DeleteLove this article! It is a really hard thing to have someone else's kids grill you about things you probably don't even discuss with their parents. I am pretty sure that I would have either referred her to her parents, or did as you did and search for the escape hatch!
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful writing style and a great wit about you, girlie! Glad I stopped by!
Thank you very much! And, yes, the easy out was definitely diversion via fire! Thank you so much for reading!
DeleteYeah, that's definitely a tough situation. Some parents get SO touchy if you give your opinions at all!I'm stopping by from the TGIF Blog Hop and am now a new follower:) Would love for you to stop by Crazy Mama Drama!
ReplyDeletehttp://crazy-mama-drama.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Mama-Drama/259491484156846
Oh I have SO stopped by your page. High-larious!!!!
DeleteI think you made the right decision by belting out the Circle of Life and bolting to the kitchen. That was definitely the most "apwowiate" thing to do. I know what you mean though- it's definitely a tough call, but since your friend's daughter is so young, I think it makes more sense that her first discussions about hot topics should be with her parents. That being said, even if you had weighed in, it probably wouldn't have been that big a deal. But what do I know? My daughter is only 10 months old. Ask me what I think four years from now.
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to screw up your own off spring. It's entirely another to screw one up who is only under your care for a few hours! Thank you so much for reading!
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