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Not all children have traditional families. They may be living with loss or a different dynamic.

Father-Daughter, Mother-Son, and Grandparent-Grandchild events are painful for some students.

Role-specific arts, crafts, and dances can be exclusionary even though there are good intentions behind them.

Schools need to rethink outdated traditions in favor of those honoring all families.

Imagine being a young child sitting at your desk in school while your teacher hands out pink construction paper, glue sticks, and lace-trimmed hearts. “Today we’re making Mother’s Day cards,” she says, smiling.

Around you, your classmates immediately begin talking about what they are going to write. One student mentions his mom loves tulips. Another says her mom is the best and tucks her in every night. Everyone seems excited, except you.

Instead, you stare at the supplies in front of you, blinking back tears because your mom isn’t alive.

You want to make her the most beautiful card that exists. In fact, you would do anything to give her that card. But she will not be coming back. She became very sick the year before and, despite fighting hard, she didn’t survive. So you sit quietly, not knowing what to do, just waiting for the craft activity to end.

Inflicting Unintentional Harm

The experience described above happens again and again to young students. While events such as “Mother’s Day Crafts,” “Daddy and Daughter Dances,” and “Grandparents’ Breakfasts” are........

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