Starting Early To Teach Celebration

How are you celebrating this month? March is National Women’s History Month and as a boy mom, I was encouraged to think of opportunities to celebrate with him. I was curious to hear from other moms on how can you start an early celebration of women with your child(ren). Fortunately, in my household, we look at this month as a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our similarities and differences.

One of our many goals through this life journey is to be sure that my son is aware and understands the strength of girls and woman alike. What encouraged me to start early is the Always commercial Like A Girl.  Ironically, several years ago when I first saw this commercial, I shed a tear. Watching this commercial encouraged me to share it with my family and friends and solicit their feedback. It moved me because as an athletic person, I didn’t think of the phrase “Like A Girl” with any sort of negative connotation. However, I’m aware that this phrase in our young children can be viewed as a sign of fragility. Children start at an earlier age to determine what they deem as certain characteristics associated with gender. Therefore, it’s my goal for my son to be aware of the strength and power that girls and women hold. Below are a few opportunities that may assist your household.

We started with his reading list.

Reading stories to him that show women as strong, intelligent, and beautiful … both inside and out … are important to us.

We are sure that he observes both parents in shared household roles.

It isn’t unusual for him to see me working in the yard or his dad washing dishes. Showing him diversity in household chores is important to us.

Exposing him to age appropriate media where girls and women are shown as lead roles is important.

In my opinion, this is an opportunity for him to embrace and celebrate girls and women at all ages.

The options shared above are a simplified way to celebrate this month; however, we are encouraging him not only to focus on just one month to celebrate women and girls. It starts early, and it’s my household responsibility to encourage him to uplift and celebrate. It’s exciting to know that we have one month to focus, and an entire year to continue the process of exposure.

How are you going to celebrate? Books, crafts, conversation?

However you choose to teach your Little One(s) to celebrate this month, be sure to keep in mind that we have so many opportunities for teachable moments. Whether it is a book, a walk in the park, or a conversation while eating dinner. Use the opportunities that we have now to celebrate.

Nia
Nia Avery is a New Orleans based Fine Art Consultant for Heather James Fine Art. Prior to joining Heather James Fine Art in 2017, Nia was an art consultant in Beijing, China, where she oversaw the inaugural C!Talk initiative, a series of cross-cultural events sponsored by the World Culture Open organization. She also previously served as an art consultant in Houston where she co-led the Emancipation Economic Development Council workgroup for the art non-profit Project Row House. Nia received her Bachelor of Science from Clark Atlanta University. Before relocating to New Orleans, she served on the board of Loma Linda Hospital’s “Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild” in Indio, California, and was a member of Desert AIDS Project’s “Partners for Life” committee in Palm Springs, California. “New Orleans is my hometown, so I am thrilled to be back. As a gastronome and fine art consultant, I have found that this city is the perfect fit – and because New Orleans is a city focused on tourism, there are always opportunities to meet people from all over the world. Living here presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the cultural landscape. My favorite place in the city has yet to be discovered. From 1000 Figs, to Original Thought, to the McKenna Museum, there is always something to discover and experience. I am excited to discover many new favorites for years to come.”

1 COMMENT

  1. That was a well thought, lovely piece, Nia. Our little man will be better for the notice you take and gentle expression of these issues.

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