Episode 10: Top 4 Questions Parents Ask Me About Talking to Kids About Race & Racism

I’m sharing with you the top 4 questions I have gotten over the years from parents like you about having "the race talk" with toddlers and preschoolers.

 

Episode Summary:

The questions that I’m going to explore and unpack with you in this episode are:

1.    What do I say if I don’t want to “traumatize” them?

2.   How do I even start the conversation if they don’t ask me about race and racism?

3.   What do I say if my child said something racist or oppressive?  

4.   What do I say when I actually don’t know the answer? Or when I don't have the time and energy even though I’m really committed to anti-oppression parenting?

Full episode transcript here.

What You’ll Learn From this Episode:

  • These responses to the questions are invitations not fixed, rigid answers.

  • Exploring: What do I say if I don’t want to “traumatize” them?

  • How Olivia Pope from Scandal might be able to help you say what you need to say in a just-right amount.

  • How to play with the 4S’s of Conversation Building Blocks.

  • Exploring: How do I even start the conversation if they don’t ask me about race and racism?

  • How to talk about fairness and feelings and connect these themes to race and racism.

  • How Issa Dee from Insecure might be able to help you initiate the race talk that sounds like you.

  • Exploring: What do I say if my child said something racist or oppressive?  

  • How toddlers and preschoolers notice physical traits and what we can do to nurture that curiosity during the race talk.

  • One question to try when your child said something racist, oppressive, and biased.

  • Exploring: What do I say when I actually don’t know the answer?
    Or when I don't have the time and energy even though I’m really committed to anti-oppression parenting?

  • How to replace perfectionism with honesty and teach your child about boundary setting.

 
 

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