I've experienced moments when people look towards my children instead of me.
Even when I'm the parent having the conversation.
Sometimes, people assume that Deaf parents need their children to help them communicate.
But communication support and parenting responsibilities aren't the same thing.
Like children in many families, mine may help with ordinary everyday things. That's different from expecting them to interpret or take responsibility for adult conversations.
When someone needs to communicate with me, they should address me directly and ensure the conversation is accessible.
Being Deaf doesn't change my role as a parent.
My children are my children, not my interpreters.
REFLECTIVE QUESTION
What happens when adults look to children for communication instead of addressing their Deaf parent directly?
