Honoring Childhood

are you having real conversations with children during the day? often, we think we are but so much of those “conversations” are rooted in control. we’re telling them what to do, we’re telling them where to go, we’re telling them what they shouldn’t be doing. instead, we should be talking to the all day long. we should be having real conversations with them, showing them that they have important things to say. these conversations should be safe spaces for them to ask questions, be curious, and speak their minds. these conversations should be fun as well! I talk to children in the same way that I talk to anyone because we’re all just people at the end of the day and having these conversations with children can create such a meaningful relationship with them. what’s your favorite thing about having conversations with children?

consent is an important thing for all of us to know, understand, and practice and it is so vital to teach it it to children early! so many of us did not learn about consent or learn that we had choices and a voice when we were children and are now working through what that means for us as adults. we should want something different for children. so let’s teach the that the have power in their words, they have the power to say no-to anyone. they don’t owe anyone affection, behavior, love, compliance, etc. it is important to teach children this as early as possible and yes that starts in infancy! speaking to children and letting them know what is happening even before they can speak is valuable in teaching consent. “I’m going to pick you up now to change your diaper.”, “I’m going to put you into your crib now”. all of these begin to teach children what to expect from adults and when they are able to start communicating, encouraging them to use their voices to speak up for what they do and do not want is incredibly important. how do you practice consent with children? how do you support them in using the power of their words?