Why I Talk to My Kids About Martin Luther King Jr.
Every January, when MLK Day shows up on the calendar, I try to slow down a bit and really think about what I want my kids to take away from it. Not just the name. Not just the day off from school. But the why.
I’ll be honest.... these aren’t always easy conversations. Explaining injustice, fairness and history to kids can feel heavy. But I’ve learned that avoiding it doesn’t help them. They’re already noticing when things feel unfair. They already know what it feels like to be left out. Now that they are teens, they understand to well.
So, when kids ask who Martin Luther King Jr. was, remind them of this:
He was someone who saw people being treated badly and decided he couldn’t stay quiet about it. And even when things got really hard, even scary; he chose to respond with peace instead of anger.
That matters to me as a parent.
Why This Feels Important Right Now....
Our kids are growing up fast in a complicated world. They hear things at school, online and from each other. Teaching them about Dr. King gives us a chance to say, "This is what we stand for in our family."
I want my kids to know it’s okay to speak up. That being kind doesn’t mean being weak. That you don’t have to hurt others to make change.
Mostly, I want them to understand that they can make a difference, even when they’re small, even when it feels uncomfortable.
What MLK Day Looks Like in Our House...Even now with teens.
We don’t do anything fancy.
We talk.... usually casually, sometimes in the car, sometimes at dinner. I ask them what they think fairness means. I listen more than I talk.
We read a book or watch a short video together. Nothing long, nothing overwhelming.
Sometimes we discuss or write about what kind of world we wish we lived in. Their answers always surprise me.
And we try to do something kind for someone else. A donation, a card, helping out a neighbor. I tell them that this day is sometimes called a Day of Service because helping others is one of the best ways to honor Dr. King.
What I Hope Sticks.....
I don’t expect my kids to remember every detail about Martin Luther King Jr. I just hope they remember how this day made them feel.
~That standing up for others matters.
~That kindness is powerful.
~That their voice counts.
If our kids grow up believing those things, then I think we’re doing something right and I think that’s exactly what Dr. King hoped for, too.
