Finally....

One hope I have when I think about working with diverse children and families is that I hope I show my anti-bias attitiude to all of the people I work for and with. 

My goal is the same is well.  To treat all children and families with dignity, respect, and equity.  To never let any bias creep up and cloud my judegement. 

Finally, a note of thanks to all of my colleagues.  Your support and your sharing have inspired me, and I wish you all well with all of your future plans!

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

It is hard to imagine anyone who does not have a story of a child asking an inappropriate question at an inappropriate time.  Being in public leaves you exposed to many unusual situations.  Being the mother of a child with Autism, I find myself in this situation on a regular basis. 

The most mortifying situation happened in a grocery store.  I was was shopping with all three of my children when we happened into an empty isle.  We were at on end of the isle, and an elderly woman was at the other end.  The elderly woman was riding in a shopping scooter, so my son, in his loudest voice said, "Clear the way, Old Lady coming through!"  At this point I was hoping the ground would swallow me up, but no such luck!  The woman rolled up to me and told me to wash my son's mouth out with soap. 

I handled the situation like I handle all of the situation my son and I find ourselves in.  We discuss how yelling out someones physical features to describe them is not appropriate.  While my son felt he was being helpful, we discussed that since the woman did not ask for help, it was ok not try and clear the isle.