My mother is a homophobic tithead

[cupcakesandbunting]

Maybe.

We took DS to the library yesterday and I said that I was asking for books for christmas rather than toys, if people asked what DS would like. I mentioned that my best mate was buying him King and King which I think is a lovely book and she did this manic wide-eyed face and started shaking her head like I'd said I was going to start reading him the full works of the Marquis de Sade before bed

When I asked her what was wrong with it, she couldn't articulate why she thought it was wrong that he might get this book other than "that's just my opinion." and "he'll see that in life anyway, he doesn't need to read about it" So taking that to it's logical conclusion, I'd better stop buying him any book that depicts real life because he sees enough of that. Or is it just gay real life that he should be shielded from? MASSIVE

[AlgebraKnocksItUpANotchBAM]

wow that's two threads in a row I've read about homophobia. I just don't get it :(

BTW I've never read king and king, but it's on my Amazon wishlist for when DD is older - looks fab.

[cupcakesandbunting]

Well, now I am even more determined that he has it. I might even buy him King and King and Family, just to wind her up more

[cupcakesandbunting]

Sorry BeerTricks, I should have said that I gave a brief synopsis of the book! It's definitely the latter. She has said before "I don;t mind them being gay I just don;t see why they have to shove it down your throat"

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

That sounds great - my DB is gay so it will help our DC to be able to read something like this that normalises the whole idea.

Sadly homophobia is still rife - a dad in my NCT group said last year, "I don't mind what my son grows up to be as long as he's not gay"!

Luckily my dh isn't an arse so I know if either of my DSs have inherited my DB's homosexuality it won't be a problem (and I'll get lots of help with interior design ).

[cupcakesandbunting]

Exactly, knitting. I have gay friends. I'd rather that DS just didn't think anything of it when he notices it.

[nemofish]

I have had to explain to dd(4yo) that ladies can marry other ladies and men can marry other men. I don't know why she believes otherwise - I blame nursery and school!

Tbh I go both ways, so whatever dd's orientation is, it's fine. As long as she doesn't join the Young Conservatives.

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

Well my parents live in Brighton and we visit often, so he's seen plenty of gay couples aside from DB and his partner!

He's only 2 at the moment so hasn't asked any questions, but he will grow up knowing it's normal and just a different kind of relationship from the one his mum and dad have.

[FlyingInTheCLouds]

Agree knitting, anything to normalise homosexuality is great in our house.

My aunt is gay and struggles with it so much ( a 65 year old Polish woman)

never want my dc to go through that, or treat anyone as she (and many of my friends have been)

[backwardpossom]

That's a fab book - love it. :) Thanks for pointing it out - my DB is gay, too, and like Knitting it'll be great to give my DS :)

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

Lol nemo, that's exactly what I said to dh - if my DC join the Tory party I know I will have failed as a parent !

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

Out of interest, is it the only one of its type on the market? Not that I'm trying to build up a gay library but just intrigued.

Tbh, I'm gobsmacked that even this one exists!

[sandyballs]

Depends on age of ds IMO

[booyhoo]

my mum is too cupcakes (but she isn't the person who wrote that on FB).

i was telling her about enrolling ds in a drama club, she wrinkled her nose and said, "isn't that a bit cissy?"

it makes me so sad.

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

Why sandyballs?

[Hassled]

What a fantastic sounding book. Another one here with a gay DB - he'll be chuffed to bits with it.

cupcakes - my PILs sound very similar in attitude, in that it's a concept they're slightly scared of and would rather never have to address. But when they met my DB and his partner they were nothing but pleasant and friendly, and seem genuinely fond of them - I think with lots of people of a certain generation their homophobia originates entirely from a fear of the unknown.

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

Oh, we get that crap booyhoo, and the stuff about boys playing with prams - until I pointed out to the two dads making a song and dance about it that they push a pram all the time whereas my DB never does as he doesn't have children and has few friends with kids. So what did that say about their homosexuality?!

It is so tedious. You think this sort of bullshit would have died out by now.

[MoralDefective]

'Shove it down your throat'....eeeewwwww....I know nothing of King and King but i think our DS2 may be gay and I DON'T CARE.....my only wish is that he has a happy life....life is hard enough for the rest of us and sadly harder still for gay people.

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

Hassled, completely agree re the generational thing. My dad was a dreadful homophobe until my brother came out - now he quite happily has DB and partner to stay, they cuddle and kiss in front of him and he doesn't bat an eyelid. Bless him!

[TotorosOcarina]

Love the title, my mums a racist tithead.

[cupcakesandbunting]

There are these, Knitting. Not sure if they're more appropriate for kids living with gay couples IYSWIM;

this

and this

this

and this that explains about different families

[pocketmonster]

Looks like a great book, my DB is gay too so I think it'll be a good read for my DD's.

cupcake how old is your mum? Don't forget things have changed alot in the last 40 years, it was illegal until 1968 and then only legalised because it was considered an illness!!

Now it is a legit topic for a 'happily ever after' childrens book - that's a big change for some people to deal with - particularly if they don't have a particularly broad life experience.

[MoralDefective]

Have to just put in here.....i don't want ANYONE kissing and cuddling in front of me.Gay or straight....get a room....

[booyhoo]

oh i hate the pram thing. ds1's best friend is a girl and he used to love playing babies and dolls with her and they did each other's make-up til one day my dad heard about it and said "what sort of a big girl's blouse are you?" ds was really embarrassed and hasn't done his make-up since. i was so angry with my dad, i forbid him to comment on anything like that infront of my dcs.

[AlgebraKnocksItUpANotchBAM]

I remember a Supernanny USA episode where Jo Frost really laid into a dad for not letting his little boy play with his sisters' dressing up clothes, dolls etc.