Accused of racism by client

Perfectly possible.
A lot of people are (despite thinking they arent) racist and have little grasp of the fact they commit microagressions every day. The fact OP has 'black' children (were they adopted? if not they are not black but mixed race) may means she may gave been clumsy with words but also being in an interracial relationship does not mean someone can't be racist.

I don't think anyone should need to apologise for noting that someone was eating watermelon.

Dont say I'm not racist because I have black kids, that will not go down well!

If you have to continue to work with this client then maybe just bring up that you apologise that there was a misunderstanding in the last session and you just want to clarify that you mentioned watermelon as the child was in fact eating watermelon and nothing more was meant by it.

Then hopefully you can both move on more comfortably.

If you point out your family it’s just going to sound like “I even have a black friend! Look!”

I’d just apologise and keep it moving. I thought the watermelon thing was an American insult but maybe not.

After reading this thread I really fancy a watermelon

It doesn’t seem possible to open your mouth without offending someone these days.

I wouldn’t apologise. I’d try and offload this client to another member of staff if you can.

Men don't choose the sex of their children.

And another who doesn't understand because they didn't read my post.
I was discussing the PRINCIPLE of an apology, not an apology aboutcthe issue
The principle being that saying ' I am sorry 'if' you feel I have upset you...' is not an apology.
An apology is 'I am sorry I upset you..'

Some people use the word racism when they can't come up with a proper argument. If someone said you like eating Yorkshire pudding would they be racist? It's so silly, I would ignore it.

Love it when those who have not read the post properly go all heaving bosoms and pearl-clutchy.
I was talking about the principle of an apology and if you and the others who did not read my post properly feel you can make stupid responses based on an erroneous reading and thus misinterpretation, please go ahead. You look stupid.

Next time someone apologises to you saying 'i am sorry if you feel that way, see how you feel. The point is, you do feel affronted, and the person apologising by saying 'if' is mimimising their actions.and intimating you are in the wrong for being hurt.

Yes, I think possibly it isn't oversensitivity, or manipulative trap laying. Though it's not completely clear exactly what happened.
Possibly something like: mother is distressed by the idea of her disabled, black child being a figure of fun in the eyes of carers (who aren't black) for the way he consumes watermelon. Like the way an Irish mother might worry about people thinking mockingly of their child who says "potatoe! potatoe! potatoe!" at meal times.

I think you could be more understanding, if it is something like this going on. I don't mean I think there should be a note on your record that you've been racist with a client. Just see if you can talk to her (him?) and reassure her.

So the Americans using it as a racial slur = black people pulling things out of their arses to be offensive?

Yes I noticed that too, my children are of mixed ethnicity as are the OP’s, one white parent, one black parent. Describing them as black does deny the other half of their heritage.

The op needs to treat her sensitively going forward.
That's not an anxiety provoking working place at all then is it? So op and all other carers need to walk on eggshells then, just in case someone somehow takes anything they say as offensive, because it doesn't matter what you say, if someone perceives offense..... you're in the wrong?

Are you in America? And is this person African American? Or is this critical race theory creating more racism by applying American history when it’s not relevant?

I’m mixed race and have been called racist by people who don’t know my background and who have used critical race theory to imagine slights where there are none. It’s a very pernicious and destructive drift and should be called out assertively for what it is - post modern crap.

I wouldn't apologise, I wouldn't explain. Some people see offense everywhere including in fruit and these are people I can't bear. The fact that this person didn't say a word to you but went and tried to get you into trouble at work speaks volumes about them. If I had to continue to work with them I would go with icy politeness in the future, but I would try not to work with them again. Who knows what they are going to make up next.

You need to hand-pollinate them or the little tiny one that appear under the flowers, will die. This is sadly due to the decline in pollinating insects. Try again! Now is the perfect time to sow the seeds and hand-pollinating is dead easy & quick! There’s tonnes of videos on YouTube showing you how to do it 🍉

As black*

When you say you're white with black children, did you adopt black children? If they are mixed raced you need to stop referring to them for black, they are half and half and that will cause identity issues.

@stample

Am I getting this right?

Was it more that you’d stated the client ate watermelon, but the family member thought this wasn’t a true assessment because they think the client doesn’t like watermelon?

Could it be that the family member thought you’d assumed the client would like watermelon because of their race, rather than making a true assessment?

I had a child eating grapes at school, but wouldn’t at home. The parent didn’t believe me, so I provided video evidence?

MrsMappFlint Good point, well made, and 😂

All of my children have been called cheeky little monkey. My dear grandson wears a onesie/pyjamas with Cheeky Monkey on the tummy and we all eat lots of watermelon. We come from Irish and Scottish stock.

This has literally nothing to do with what is being discussed

This.

Its up to everyone to educate themselves and make themselves aware. That includes exploring how terms are used in the region you've moved to