I wanted to share this site http://www.talkingwithkids.org/ because it sends a very simple and powerful message: talk with your kids before everyone else does!
I had one of those conversations this morning as I was helping Anjali into the car. She said " I wish I was the same color as all my friends." I totally knew what she meant but pretended not to and asked her what color she meant and she pointed me to the Cheerios and said "that color". I got the message clear! I asked her what was wrong with her color and she said 'nothing'. And I talked to her about how beautiful she was just as she is. Quite honestly, I was not prepared for her to ask 'that' question. But Portland is such a fair skinned city that I can understand why she feels left out, especially when the whole class slaps on sunscreen. Even the smattering of non white kids we know are mixed-race. I might have to launch a more aggressive everyone can be/look different yet beautiful campaign.
Hi Roshanthi,
ReplyDeleteFirst time on your blog. Came here thru Design Mom blog thru the comment you left and guess what we live in the same city well I am in the suburbs of course. I was so touched by this post. I am from India and it is so much nice to hear from another mom who feels like more needs to be done about this. Hope we can keep in touch I am not too much active on my other blog but you inspire me.