As much as I like the non-binary flag Iâd prefer it if people could just remember that the white part of the trans flag
represents non-binary people and stop treating people who donât fit the gender binary as âless tansâ than binary trans people
Lots of non-binary people have felt worried about if theyâre allowed to call themselves trans, or if theyâre âtrans enoughâ to use the trans flag or join in during trans events like trans visibility days without even knowing that the white stripe on the trans flag is for us non-binary/genderqueer/genderfluid/agender/intersex/etc folk.
I feel like it is important that the white stripe is recognised because currently so many people who donât fit the gender binary feel less valid as trans people than binary trans people.
When your child says âWhy canât I get a puppy?â
Instead of defaulting to âMy house, my rulesâ
Try âAny pet is a lot of responsibility. A puppy would have to be fed, walked, and taken outside to use the bathroom several times a day and taken for regular check-ups and vaccinations at the vet. You canât do all of that by yourself, and I/we donât have the time or money either.â
When your teenager says âWhy canât I come home at 2:00 this Saturday?â
Instead of defaulting to âMy house, my rules!â
Try âThe time you come home is a matter of respect and consideration. I/We will not only be concerned for your safety, but we would either be disturbed in the middle of the night when you arrive or forced to stay up for several extra hours waiting.â
When your child says âWhy am I not allowed to do this thing?â
Instead of defaulting to âMy house, my rules!â
Try actually communicating a legitimate reason, because children pick up on subtlety and on context and on the unspoken messages, and itâs better to teach children lessons like âYou should think really hard before taking on new responsibilitiesâ and âItâs important to show consideration for the needs of the people with whom you share a living spaceâ than lessons like âItâs okay for people to demand your absolute obedience so long as youâre dependent on them for survival.â
TRUTH
Also worth knowing: training your child to accept arbitrary âreasonsâ for obedience like âbecause I said soâ and âmy house my rulesâ etc trains them to be more susceptible to peer pressure because in their mind, when someone who is at all an authority (older than them, bigger than them, more impressive than them, more confident than them) demands something, they should accept it and not think about it critically.
Let them ask why, and give them a real reason. If not, donât be surprised when they fall for lots of bullshit when they are older. Youâre the one that made them believe âBECAUSEâ was reason enough.
You can donate themfor other kids and humans to watch the 2019 eclipse!!! ISNâT THAT RAD!? Wait for info by The Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) : https://twitter.com/awb_org (I will edit this post as well)