Here's Your Sign

When Steve and I decided to become foster parents some 20 years ago we had to fill out forms on "what kind" of children we were willing to foster and/or adopt. Did we want babies, toddlers, youngster, teens? Were we willing to foster children with special needs and if so how special? Physical handicapped, emotionally handicapped, physically abused, developmentally delayed, failure to thrive, drug exposed and to what extent, mild, moderate or severe? But the one that really got me was the race. Did we want only our race or were we open to different races? To us children are children, peel away the skin and we are all the same color. Our blood is all red, our pee is yellow and so is the snot. So what's the big deal?

I soon found out not all people think the same way. Over the years I have been asked a barrage of questions from many ignorant people and I thought I would share a few with you.

Not long after Lyndsay and McKayla came to live with us I was met with my first......

Ignorant Ass1: Aren't you embarrassed when they call you mom in public?

Me: Why are you embarrassed when your kids call you mom in public?

Ignorant Ass2: Do you let them share a room with "your kids"?

Me: Heavens no they sleep in the garage.

Ignorant Ass3: Does their hair feel like a brillo pad?

Me: No more like a scotch brite.

Ignorant Ass4: Don't you think they would be better off with their own race?

Me: Well let's see, I'm of the human race and so are they, yep you're right.

Ignorant Ass5: Don't you think when they get older they will be a bad influence on "your kids"?

Me: By bad influence do you mean a college graduate?

Ignorant Ass6: So do you have to cook black food?

Me: Not if I get it off the stove in time, but sometimes my food is black.

We live in a predominantly Caucasian neighborhood, but most people know us and our children.

 Recently one of my children (in my opinion) was stereotyped due to his skin color and made to go home when the mother decided on a three kid rule for playing outside at their house. I have in the past been told by my boys that a lot of children (at one time) always play football or basketball or street hockey at this home. So to that racist mother I say: Here's Your Sign.....(borrowed from a very knowledgeable man, Jeff Foxworthy)

                               I Am An Ignorant Ass