Natural Family

[veggiemom]

Has anyone heard about this case in Oakland about the Natural Family. I heard it and at first didn't understand it. Do you think this ruling is good or bad?

[Melinda M]

I heard about it and think it seems reasonable. I guess it's sort of a little harsh, but we haven't been protecting rights for every kind of family very well. I really believe that anyone who really loves their child can be a great parent. You don't have to be just a man and woman raising a baby. I have plenty of friends who are lesbian and gay and their kids are just like all the other kids. We need to start acknowledging the importance of all families.

[ozmama]

Another family in our HS group is a 'blended alternative family' per their words. Two moms and a dad, 7 kids between them. One of the moms is originally married to the dad and they have three bio-kiddos. The other mom has 2 bio-kiddos (one with the dad of the family) and legal custody of ex-partner's 2 bios (ex-partner and bio-dad didn't want them; she's known and loved them since they were tots and refused to turn her back on them simply because they weren't "hers").

Politics and moral beliefs aside, this family functions as a family better than a vast majority of supposedly 'proper' families. I applaud their efforts to be the best parents of these kids that they possibly can.

Reminds me of a quote I found in Reader's Digest sometime in 1996 (wish I could remember who to credit as I'd love to have it for a bumper sticker): Having a Child doesn't make you a parent anymore than sleeping in a garage makes you a car!

As for the original question...I have no idea what case is being discussed. Just had to get on my soapbox about families. We're actually trying to start a CampFire USA group--they've come a long ways from Campfire Girls and then the Campfire I knew as a kiddo. Their focus is now on family and community--in whatever form or shape said family occurs. I'm really excited about the possibilities and the opportunities my kiddos will have to learn about the world around them and that even if we don't agree with every iota of a person's opinions or beliefs doesn't mean that we can't appreciate them as a friend and gain a better understanding of their viewpoint without having to discard our opinions and beliefs.

Okay, enough of my .02...

[Tina Allen | Liddle Kidz]

This couldn't say it any better!!!!

Having a Child doesn't make you a parent anymore than sleeping in a garage makes you a car!