There are two big rules we follow in this house: communication and respect. We communicate how we feel at any given point, and we respect each other’s values, experiences and opinions. Since having our son Zak, we’ve vowed to instill these as we raise him.
I’ve always wondered how I would introduce the topic of race to him. Putting in the work and researching the Black Lives Matter movement this past week has made me realize that there is no perfect time or place for conversations like this. They need to be introduced NOW and they need to happen constantly. As part of our two big rules in this house, it is my responsibility to teach my child/children on how to be kind and compassionate towards others no matter what their race, gender, religion, appearance or values may be.
For parents who are not sure how to start these conversations, we’ve had success through reading. Here are some children’s books (in no particular order) we have and highly recommend:
Written by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by James Ransome
Written and illustrated
by Kerascoët
Written by Ibtihaj Muhammad, illustrated by Hatem Aly
Written and illustrated by
Vashti Harrison
Written by Norah Dooley, illustrated by Peter J. Thornton
Written by Julie Merberg, illustrated by Molly Egan
Written and illustrated
by Anne Sibley O’Brien
Written by Judy Carey Nevin, illustrated by Susie Hammer
Written by Matt De La Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Written and illustrated by
Jess Hong
Written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Written by Bobbi Kates, illustrated by Joe Mathieu
Have you read any of the above? Do you have other recommendations for me? Let’s chat on Instagram or Twitter!
