Exposure

I sometimes worry that by living in Whitey-town USA, the closest thing to a minority group that Andrew will be exposed to are Jewish-Americans. And they are hardly a minority group here. I worry about him gawking at Asian- and African-Americans. But I never thought about needing to expose him to short people.

We went to the Aquarium this morning. A VERY short woman was scanning the tickets as you walk in. Probably under 5 foot. Not a little person (AKA. dwarf). Just a very short person.

Just inside the door, Andrew turns to me and says, "I didn't know they let kids work at the aquarium."

I giggle despite myself. And say, "That wasn't a kid, Andrew. That was a grown-up."

He thinks hard for a moment and responds, "Oh. Well, maybe she just drank a lot of coffee when she was a little girl."

Hmmm, when should I dispell this myth that I've been perpetuating? It was such a convenient way to deter Andrew from drinking coffee. But I think we're entering the danger zone where he accuses every short adult of drinking it as a child. Or proclaiming that they ARE a child.

Aunt Andrea? We need you to make another visit so Andrew gets used to short people. ;)