School starts back next week and tonight we are going to meet the teachers. This is always an interesting day for our family. When you have a family that does not match there is usually some explaining to do. With our family we also have to tell the teachers the basics of seizure first aid just in case the boys have a seizure at school. Luckily that has not happened but it is better to be safe and informed than sorry and scared.
We always explain to the teachers that the children have been adopted and that they all have the same biological mother just different dads. We have found that it is easier telling everyone at the beginning of the year instead of the when a problem arises. Besides it is easier than them just speculating on it. The one big reason that we do explain this to them is so that they understand the family dynamics in case there are any comments said about him having a family that looks nothing like him. You would think that this would not be an issue in today’s world but let’s face it kids can be mean and every year there is a comment or two made to him about it.
George sometimes has a hard time with kids that are just plain mean. They either tease him because he does not match his family or because he is a bit heavy. The heaviness is not his fault or ours for that matter. The biological dad for him was 6’ 9” and 330 so he is going to be a big person when he is full grown. At ten he takes a size 8 ½ men’s shoe and is up to my shoulders already and I am 5’ 7”. Being different is ok with George he really does embrace it. We asked George how he replies to the kids when they make a comment or ask a question as to why he is brown and his family is white or if it bothered him when people ask. He said “ I tell them it just is”, he said that they don’t need to know so he does not tell them he is adopted. Now my other children who do match me tell everyone that they know they are adopted but not George.