June sees the month of Pride. It provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to teach their kids about how not all families are the same. It’s also a great way to open up conversations about why we need to value diversity. Everyone has the right to be respected and proud of who they are. So where do we start?

Teach your kids about the rainbow flag and the history of Pride

What is Pride Month? Pride has been celebrated since the Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969 when members of the LGBTQ+ community stood up against police brutality, societal oppression, and traumatization. This radical uprising played a part in LGBTQ+ liberation. The rainbow flag represents diversity, inclusion, and the coming together of different identities within the community. There are lots of marches and protests around this time. It’s great to raise joyful awareness but educate our kids that inclusion is not just for June but an all-year-round thing.

Teach them about what LGBTQ+ means

Simply explain to your child the correct terminology, for example, lesbians are women who are attracted to other women. Together, be curious about different types of families and how everyone has the right to be their true selves. Let them know it’s ok to ask questions. Being compassionate and appreciating differences is a beautiful strength and you can all wonder what is special and unique about people you all know. It will shape the way they think in the future and help them become active allies as an adult.

Be a good role model

They will model how to be accepting and kind from watching you, the parent. Remember to use really inclusive language and educate yourself on how to be a good LGBTQ+ ally. A few ways to do this are: use the correct pronouns, don’t make assumptions about people’s sexuality, look at your own unconscious bias, and confront inequality when it’s safe for you to do. Amnesty International UK has some great advice on how to be a trans ally for beginners.

Get creative

There are some lovely ways you can celebrate Pride month at home. One year we made a cheese toastie with some food coloring to represent the different colors of the Pride flag. What about a Pride scavenger hunt by finding red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple items around the house? Making some colorful paper chain bunting can also be a lovely bonding activity for the whole family. Whatever you decide to do, make an intention to celebrate this amazing month whilst honoring times when things were less than joyful for the community.

Meditate as a family

Not only does meditation help with a general sense of loving-kindness for both parents and their children, but with the right Moshi tools, it can also help with inclusivity. YaYa the Zonkey is a lovely tale of a little zany zonkey who is colorful and rare. She is like a donkey but also a zebra. She sometimes wishes she looked more like a donkey. She learns how to enjoy the best of both worlds when she brings her donkey and zebra pals together. Another great one is Cali’s Rockpool of Inclusivity which tells the story of a mermaid celebrating differences.

However you decide to celebrate this month of Pride, the very fact you are having open discussions with your children will contribute to the collective action of making the world a kinder and accepting place where everyone can feel safe and respected. Much gratitude to you for taking part.

Samantha Redgrave-Hogg