Letter to parents of conventional families

Dear parents of XYZ School in Mexico,

On this occasion I send you this very personal message because a situation continues to arise regarding our non-conventional type of family. My daughter, once again, is questioned why she does not have a father and why she only has a mother. Fortunately, my daughter and I have close and open communication about it and she knows that if she has a father, only that she does NOT live with us nor is he part of our little family.

It is clear to me that children's curiosity is great, however, when curiosity is satisfied, it should stop and not constantly harass her with more questions about it, since this can be misinterpreted as bullying. It is something very simple to solve and it is in our hands to do it, I also believe that it is a huge opportunity for children to increase their empathy, and delve deeper into the different types of families as part of a tolerant education, an inclusive point of view and if possible, the celebration of our diversity.

Tomorrow my daughter and I will donate a book that is very special to us and that we have read many times since she was 2 years old when we lived in the USA. It is a book called LOVE IS A FAMILY, hoping that the school can give this space to deepen with love and respect for non-conventional families like ours. In the same way, if the school agrees, your family could take it home so you can read it together as a family with your children.

Because while it is true, the school helps us in the formation of our children, it is we, the parents, who are responsible for the values that we instill in our little ones including tolerance and PEACE.

I think that in 2024 we must stop stigmatizing families that are not standard or conventional. And begin to instill in children tolerance for differences and respect, because they are the citizens of the future and those who could make a difference in the values of society. Knowing that in our country more than 15% of mothers are single mothers and that parenthood is not exercised as actively as in other countries (that is, there are mothers who are civilly married but who live and are responsible for their children as if they were single). It is in our hands to change this for our daughters and the daughters of our daughters, so that they live in a more inclusive, more equitable, and less discriminatory society.

I have a lot of faith that this will be the case one day, that women can live peacefully and exercise their right for motherhood, and that their children will also have the respect and affection of their community despite not coming from a conventional family.

With much respect and affection,

Atte. Cynt Villalba

P.S. Whoever likes it and wants it, I have our story on Instagram, and it is not a story that I am ashamed of or that I hide. It is the story of many women who live in this country, and I feel proud to made it on my own. I wish we could celebrate the differences instead of pointing out them. Instagram @cynt_villalba