Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

June 14, 2020 /

There are so many voices out there that we can learn from when it comes to discussing racism and dealing with biases both on our own and with our children and I have no plan to take away from them by adding mine, but I do think that every parent no matter your race needs to start with normalizing diversity at home.  

Kids need to see themselves in their print, in movies, tv, in their role models, but they also need to see “others” so that they do not remain “others” – it is so important that we learn from each other! Starting with normalization of every culture & race at a young age is so important to promote that respect and empathy and it is seriously lacking in many communities. The percentage of children’s books that show children or people of color is pathetic.  You are more likely to see a dinosaur or an animal character in a book than one containing any of the non-white races combined! That’s why I’ll be calling out some of our favorites because it’s STILL harder to find these books for our kids and that needs to change. There may be better ones out there, but these are the ones we know and love!

 

*Note: Though my own recommendation these books/items are linked to amazon because that’s the easiest way to share and as an affiliate they will pay me a small amount if you use them. See below for other shopping options that will not support me, but black owned businesses instead.*

A few books my kids LOVE that have added some diversity to our bookshelf without any need for comment – these are books that are not specifically about diversity or racial equality just plain happy picture books about life for kids to read.

I Am So Brave

Julian Is A Mermaid

Feast For Ten

Mama Do You Love Me?

I Love You

The Snowy Day

My Heart Fills With Happiness

Other books that might help you open up conversations about differences and protesting:

Counting On Community

Enough!

Daddy, There’s A Noise Outside

The Family Book

I am Enough

M is For Melanin

Art Ideas:

 

Crayola makes this set in markers, crayons, colored pencils and even paint. While it’s not perfect we can at least get closer. I like that we can draw and note differences. We’ve also renamed it the skin colors pack in our house instead of multicultural because really they don’t have any persons skin color in the regular sets.

 

One side note – I really like the paint because you can mix the different paints to create every shade – we spent one day matching up paint with our own skin for each family member and bottling that color so we have it just right!

 

 

Finally let’s put our money where our mouths (or social feeds) are and support some amazing black owned businesses!

*Note: These are my own personal shout outs for your use. Aside from being a customer I have zero affiliation with any of them – I was neither asked by any business, nor told them I’d be promoting them*

Here are just a few to get you started:

Frugal Books: Roxbury MA – a great resource for children’s and adult literature, including many amazing books both about or simply containing a better range of diversity.

Natural Girls United: Amazing dolls and doll families in barbie-esque sizes of all different colors with natural hair. They even have some in more imaginative styles like princess  & mermaids. Plus, outfits & accessories that range from veterinarian to yoga pants (aka quarantine mom).

Darlyng & Co Baby Products and Accessories – when you are looking for something more unique than target! Also, love that they have a line of unscented skin care (which can be hard to find!)

Kido – For everything baby/toddler related from books to clothes and in between. I love that not everything is unicorns and weird sayings which makes me much happier when my kids wear it!

Ikuzi Dolls – Beautiful larger size (18 inch) dolls with tons of options for hair types and skin colors! Doll accessories and kid/doll matching clothes!

BabaHero Box: A subscription box for Dad & Baby! (or toddler) This is such a fun father’s day idea and a great way to get dad involved in the fun of testing baby products (which from what I’ve seen in the box are all superb) with a little something for him too! I’ve got a soft spot for all the good dad/co-parents and this box is a great way to honor that! 

Father’s Incorporated: They’ve got a great timely story that helps discuss why people are protesting/”making noise outside” along with some other great Dad gear!

The Lavender Penguin – Everything for the penguin/taco lover in your life!

Green Olive Soaps – Some of the products are similar to Lush but with more natural ingredients – lots of fun stuff for mom but love the very gentle unscented soaps for sensitive baby skin! 

 

 

We are all still learning and growing here so please feel free to leave your comments or additions below – we would LOVE to hear your feedback and thoughts!

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