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<p>More than 20% of families with children under 15 are single-parent families, with over 10% of all households in Australia headed by a single parent.</p>
<p>Same-sex households are becoming more common (almost half a percent), and more than 12% of these households live with their children.</p>
<p>Children live with their grandparents, step-parents and other blended arrangements. Children may be dealing with the loss of a parent from death or incarceration. During separation, one household becomes two. Children may have a transgender parent and Indigenous households can incorporate complex kinship arrangements.</p>
<p>There is no longer a clear definition of ‘family’, and the boundaries are constantly changing.</p>
<p>Yet each year, particularly in primary school, it is common to talk about families as though they are homogenous, as well as celebrate gender-specific days such as Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day,</p>
<p>With any event or celebration that involves families, while the default position should be to never assume that all students have both a mother and a father, neither should it be a reason to avoid these celebrations altogether, simply to avoid potentially offending someone.</p>
<h3>Mothers’ Day this year falls on Sunday May 8<sup>th</sup> and there are some simple ways to make it more inclusive in the classroom.</h3>
<ol>
<li>For younger students, talk about family types. There are many fantastic picture books that celebrate different families. Follow the children’s lead with the language they use to describe their family.</li>
<li>If making cards, don’t provide pre-printed poems that refer to Mum or Dad, but allow children to choose which adult they wish to celebrate.</li>
<li>Avoid gender-specific images or gifts such as high-heels or lipsticks for Mum or a briefcase or tie for Dad.</li>
<li>Offer alternative colour options as well as the traditional pink and blue.</li>
<li>If holding an event at school, ensure the language and imagery on invitations and signs is welcoming and inclusive of other adult carers.</li>
</ol>
<p>Acknowledging differences, and allowing students to feel seen and included is the most powerful way to celebrate family.</p>
<hr />
<h6><strong>References</strong></h6>
<h6>20% of families under 15yr are single parent <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/0/F4B15709EC89CB1ECA25732C002079B2">4102.0 &#8211; Australian Social Trends, 2007 (abs.gov.au)</a></h6>
<h6>10% household single parent <a href="https://blog.id.com.au/2018/population/demographic-trends/single-parent-families-not-always-who-you-think/#:~:text=In%20Australia%2C%20at%20the%202016%20Census%2C%20there%20were,2011%2C%20due%20to%20an%20increase%20in%20other%20categories.">Single parent families – not always who you think | .id blog</a></h6>
<h6>Same sex households, indigenous <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/publications/australian-households-and-families#:~:text=The%20proportion%20of%20single%20parent%20families%20has%20increased,percent%20of%20same-sex%20couples%20live%20with%20their%20children.">Australian households and families | Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au)</a></h6>

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