Raising Open-Minded Kids
Your children will begin to see and experience prejudice outside of the home in almost every aspect of their lives.
Cherylyn Feierabend
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Raising Open-Minded Kids
Hey there! You’re listening to the Mighty Mommy with some quick and dirty tips for practical parenting.
This week I’m excited to introduce my first guest writer. Nicole Luckett is a member of the MOMS Club and one of the people I go to when I’m having parenting struggles of my own. She’s an amazing mom and she felt strongly about this week’s topic; so much so that she wanted to write it herself. So, here are the thoughts Nicole has chosen to share with us on the subject of prejudice.
Do you like raisins? I don’t, but my four-year-old daughter loves them. So, I give them to her when those are her snack-time choice. I don’t voice my opinion about my dislike for them or for any other foods she likes. Even if I don’t prefer a certain food, I’ll still offer it to her and hope she makes healthier food choices.
What do choices have to do with prejudice? If you choose to make a comment about someone or something that you may consider off-the-cuff, or if you laugh at or tell a joke that may not be appropriate, your children will hear you. There are all kinds of prejudices. Your children are listening, watching and mimicking you and your behaviors. They are sponges, absorbing all that they see and hear.
Do you remember how innocent your children were on their first day of school? Then, suddenly they come home saying new things. You notice your children changing. You see their innocence slipping away and you realize they now have other people in their lives. The teachers, children, and parents that are coming in contact with your children may not have the same values that you try to instill in your children on a daily basis. Your children will begin to see and experience prejudice outside of the home in almost every aspect of their lives. You can’t control everything that is happening elsewhere, but you can control what your children are learning at home.
When your children ask questions about why people are different, be honest; explain the differences and explain that some people have different views and ideas. Try not to give your own personal views on anything. I realize how difficult this might be; however, this empowers your children to form their own opinions and make choices based on their own likes and dislikes. Some children will simply mimic a parent’s choices in an attempt to gain your approval, love, and affection.
Encourage your children to think for themselves and make their own decisions. Teach them to be leaders instead of followers. Show them that you have respect for yourself. Teach them that it’s important to have respect, consideration, love, and admiration for others. Empower your children to embrace all forms of diversity. There is so much to learn from other people that you should never limit your children’s opportunity to grow. Learning about and accepting diversity will give your children a deeper sense of self-worth and a more positive outlook on life. This is one lesson that is bound to continue throughout all of our lifetimes.
That’s it for now.
I’d like to thank Nicole for writing this episode. She is a busy mom balancing her work as a behavioral health technician with taking care of her one-year-old son, four-year-old daughter, and still finding time to go see her husband’s band, East Delta, play at local gigs. Thanks, Nicole!
And, thank you for listening.
Before I go, I want to remind you that Grammar Girl’s new print book is now available. Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips to Clean Up Your Writing by Mignon Fogarty is available wherever books are sold or you can order from your favorite online retailer.
If you’d like to request a topic for the Mighty Mommy you can e-mail me directly at mommy@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. This is your friend the Mighty Mommy wishing you happy and fun parenting!