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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Lifestyle
Emma Gill

Parents of girl with two mums and two dads welcome same-sex couple on Peppa Pig

Popular children's cartoon Peppa Pig has been entertaining little ones for almost 20 years, with millions tuning in to watch the everyday adventures of Peppa, George and their parents Mummy and Daddy Pig.

Yet we all know that the traditional nuclear family of mum, dad and two kids is far from reality these days.

In fact, a recent Independent Family Review by England's Children's Commissioner found that nearly half of UK children now grow up outside that stereotypical set-up.

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That doesn't always translate in the programmes we watch on TV though, particularly those aimed at children. So it was somewhat of a landmark moment when just last week Peppa Pig introduced its first same-sex couple.

An episode saw the character Penny Polar Bear drawing a picture of herself with two female polar bears in dresses. Explaining her sketch to pals including Suzi Sheep and Danny Dog, Penny said: "I’m Penny Polar Bear. I live with my mummy and my other mummy."

Penny Polar Bear with her drawing of her two mummies (Channel 5)

Following the airing, several people took to social media to welcome the LGBT characters in the pre-school show. Among those praising the move are married lesbian couple Rhonda and Lisa Morgan-Farrell, mummies to three-year-old Willow.

Theirs is rather a unique set-up in the fact that Willow has two mums and two dads after they conceived with gay couple Carl Austin-Behan, Manchester's former Lord Mayor, and his husband Simon - who they had both known for years.

Rather than going down the surrogacy route, or the mums conceiving via sperm donation, with the help of a home fertilisation kit, the four decided to go ahead as one big family.

"Willow has two homes and spends time with us - her mums - in Swinton, Salford, and with her daddies. We have a routine in place which works for Willow and her schooling and activities", said Rhonda, 43.

Willow with her mums Rhonda and Lisa Morgan-Farrell (Manchester Evening News / Manchester Family)

"We have an open and honest relationship as her parents and always ensure we put Willow first in everything we do,"

Explaining how their unconventional family came about, she said: "We all wanted to have a child and had initially spoken about this a number of years ago between the four of us, then as our lives progressed, we got married and had a more serious conversation about it and decided it could work for us and our lifestyles.

"We all have a lot of different life experiences and a lot of love to give to a child which we have very much found since having Willow. She learns so much from all of us and is a very happy and confident little girl, which is most important to us, rather than what views people may have."

Willow as a baby with mums Rhonda and Lisa Morgan-Farrell and dads Carl and Simon Austin-Behan (Manchester Evening News / Manchester Family)

They admit it's not been without its problems, but feel that only highlights why greater representation of LGBT families is necessary.

"Somebody once said to me 'this is not fair on the child' and 'it’s confusing for the child', added Rhonda. "My response to this was 'what is confusing for Willow'?

"She knows her daddies love each other very much and her mummies love each other very much and most importantly we all love her and she was planned and made out of love.

"We are aware that when doing articles like this, there will always be people who judge and discriminate and say unkind things. This kind of prejudice and comments just emphasise the need for Pride, as we have come a long way, but there is still a massive difference to make and Willow will be the future of the fight."

Willow with her 'love is love' flag (Manchester Evening News / Manchester Family)

The couple say they explained to Willow from an early age that 'she is very lucky to have two mummies and two daddies and have explained that there are lots of very different family dynamics and set ups, which is also important for her to understand'.

"She has friends who have a mum and dad, two mums and some who just have one parent," said Lisa, 37. "She doesn’t question this and already understands that it is OK to be different.

"She may well receive comments as she grows up from friends and during her school life in particular, but we like to think that she will be confident enough to explain her unique family set up and help others understand and embrace and celebrate differences with love and kindness. Willow will most certainly educate others."

The couple say representation of same-sex couples and parents has improved over recent years, but feel 'there is still a long way to go'.

Willow with her dads at her nursery graduation ceremony (Manchester Evening News / Manchester Family)

"When we were growing up, we didn’t see same sex couples or feel represented in society, but that has certainly changed for the better," said Rhonda.

"Education is key and for example when Willow was at Kidzrus private day nursery until very recently, her unique family set up was celebrated, rather than being questioned.

"They have books available with stories about some children having two mummies or two daddies which were read to all children for them to learn about different family dynamics and Willow also learnt about families different to hers and different cultures.

"Educating children from an early age about equality, diversity and inclusivity is paramount to make changes for future generations."

By featuring same-sex couples in programmes like Peppa Pig, the couple say it makes children like Willow 'feel represented in the programmes they love' and helps them understand 'that this is OK and not strange'.

Willow preparing for Pride (Manchester Evening News / Manchester Family)

"Lots of these children’s programmes are also very educational, but having the stereotypical mum and dad set up isn’t teaching children about differences, which they are most likely to come across when they are in school and start mixing with other children and making friends," Lisa said.

"This used to also be the case in television advertisements, but just look at how far things have come in this space, with various people from different backgrounds, ethnic minorities etc now being represented.

"Children’s programmes should be normalised in the same way, they reach a large audience and to teach children at a young age that everyone is different is surely the key to preventing hatred and discrimination amongst them."

Rhonda and Lisa don't know anyone personally with the same family set-up as themselves, but are aware of others across the country 'with similar situations'.

"Willow has a close friend who has two mummies and for example she has never asked the question 'why doesn’t he have a daddy' as she accepts his family set-up and doesn’t feel that there is a need to question it," said Rhonda.

Willow with her mums Rhonda and Lisa and dads Carl and Simon (Manchester Evening News / Manchester Family)

As for anyone suggesting a child may miss out without a mother or father figure, she said: "Love and nurturing is what we feel is most important to a child. A parent can provide what their child needs, despite of their sex.

"For children who may not have a mother or father figure, we believe that explaining this and celebrating their family dynamic and educating children from an early age that it is 'OK to be different' is paramount. With the right love and guidance from their parents, there shouldn’t be any place for hate and discrimination or judgement from children.

"We believe that the key to a loving world starts with a loving home. It’s really easy to teach children to love as it comes so natural to them. Teaching children to celebrate and embrace everyone no matter who they are or where they come from is most important to us."

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