ADVENTURES IN PARENTING – AT 8:08 A.M. ET:  For those readers who are parents of young children, or have close relatives or friends who are, or if you expect to be parents in the future, please examine the following wisdom from government carefully, so you can truly do justice for the little ones: 

New rules proposed by the Colorado Department of Human Services include a requirement that all day-care centers in the state make available dolls representing three different races.

The 98-page document, obtained by 7News, features a slew of rule changes. Among them: children over age two must not be served whole milk without a note from a doctor, kids over age one can't drink more than six ounces of juice per day, TV and computer time will be capped at twenty minutes daily, and staffers must wear clothes that cover their lap and shoulders. But arguably the most unusual suggestion pops up on page 77: "Dolls shall represent three (3) races."

After posting this item, we were able to reach Human Services spokeswoman Liz McDonough, who provides background on the project as a whole.

"These are national child care standards that we are proposing," she says. "They come from national standards that are entitled 'Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale.' They're minimum standards for quality in childcare -- and the process was actually started by statute back in 2000.

COMMENT:  I had a professor at the University of Chicago, an ordained minister, who used to utter the prayer, "Protect me, o Lord, from those who would protect me."  Most parents are remarkably unaware of what is being taught to their children in school.  They should make themselves aware.  And they should now make themselves aware of proposed rules for day-care centers, which will inevitably be extended to elementary schools. 

To the best of my knowledge, the three races required for dolls have not been specified.  But someone will be left out.  You can be sure of that.

Does the word "lawsuit" come to mind?  You may be sure that it will enter many minds.

July 9, 2011