Really helpful language to discuss what's going on with preschoolers/elementary

[Anonymous]

I found this really helpful so I thought I'd share, a mother talks through exactly how she explained what is going on right now to her 4 year old but I think it could work for a bit older too. If you're looking for the words, this might be helpful.

I found this really helpful, and I've been seeing a lot of discussion on here so thought I would share:

https://medium.com/@emilypgerickson/i-live-in-minneapolis-this-is-what-i-told-my-4-year-old-26d5213f6722

[Anonymous]

I should have put for white parents, but this is directed at white parents.

[Anonymous]

It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

Your white privilege is showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

What?!

I don’t know if I’m going to tell my 3 year old that a cop killed a man, but we are working hard to give her a foundation of exposure to a diverse set of friends, teachers, etc. We’re hoping it’ll help instill in her a sense that seeing POC in all sorts of jobs/roles is a normal thing.

When she’s a bit older, we will talk to her about racism. Right now we’re trying to build a foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

Especially with anxiety related to the pandemic, we are trying to shield our kids from what is going on and I won’t apologize for it. They will have plenty of time in life to learn about these issues.

[Anonymous]

Op here no need to respond to the troll everyone, they are just trying to derail. It’s there for those that do want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

What?!

I don’t know if I’m going to tell my 3 year old that a cop killed a man, but we are working hard to give her a foundation of exposure to a diverse set of friends, teachers, etc. We’re hoping it’ll help instill in her a sense that seeing POC in all sorts of jobs/roles is a normal thing.

When she’s a bit older, we will talk to her about racism. Right now we’re trying to build a foundation.

+1. My previous reply was deleted, so I’ll just say I agree.

[Anonymous]

My kids know nothing about this. They are happier this way. Dealing with a pandemic is enough for them right now. Good lord OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

Especially with anxiety related to the pandemic, we are trying to shield our kids from what is going on and I won’t apologize for it. They will have plenty of time in life to learn about these issues.

Congratulations, you're white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

Especially with anxiety related to the pandemic, we are trying to shield our kids from what is going on and I won’t apologize for it. They will have plenty of time in life to learn about these issues.

Congratulations, you're white.

I am a member of a minority that does quite well in the victimhood Olympics. I am not exposing them to our traumas, current or historical, at this age either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

Especially with anxiety related to the pandemic, we are trying to shield our kids from what is going on and I won’t apologize for it. They will have plenty of time in life to learn about these issues.

Congratulations, you're white.

I am a member of a minority that does quite well in the victimhood Olympics. I am not exposing them to our traumas, current or historical, at this age either.

Ditto: AA Mom here to a toddler and a teen. I talked to the teen only after she asked and not a word to my toddler although she asks questions about skin color as we are a mixed family ( Stepmim is white, my deceased mom is Hispanic).
- I do not want them worrying about if my husband will be attacked or killed. They will have anxiety.
-I do not want them to think all the hatred and anger ( look at how this board views AA children and people) is towards them for something they cannot control.
-I want them to stay innocent children as long as they can like the white kids get to enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

Especially with anxiety related to the pandemic, we are trying to shield our kids from what is going on and I won’t apologize for it. They will have plenty of time in life to learn about these issues.

Congratulations, you're white.

I am a member of a minority that does quite well in the victimhood Olympics. I am not exposing them to our traumas, current or historical, at this age either.

Ditto: AA Mom here to a toddler and a teen. I talked to the teen only after she asked and not a word to my toddler although she asks questions about skin color as we are a mixed family ( Stepmim is white, my deceased mom is Hispanic).
- I do not want them worrying about if my husband will be attacked or killed. They will have anxiety.
-I do not want them to think all the hatred and anger ( look at how this board views AA children and people) is towards them for something they cannot control.
-I want them to stay innocent children as long as they can like the white kids get to enjoy.

Good! They should!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting this OP. Parents have to make their own decisions about whether to address this with their young children and that is fine. But this is helpful for those who chose to do so. If you choose not to then this thread is obviously not directed to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is bad parenting to talk to young kids about this at all.

Especially with anxiety related to the pandemic, we are trying to shield our kids from what is going on and I won’t apologize for it. They will have plenty of time in life to learn about these issues.

I so appreciate your concern, but the research on anxiety suggests your approach is exactly what makes it worse. Avoidance is the thing the makes anxiety worse; learning to tolerate stress/unhappiness/etc is the thing that makes it better. It's believed that one reason rates of anxiety disorders are going up is the (very well intentioned but misguided) effort to spare kids any unpleasantness or stress. they don't learn to deal with it and can't cope as they get older. If you read up on anxiety you'll see what i mean.