How do i explain race to my child?

Question

At the moment i am pregnant and i was thinking about how do i explain to her what she is. I am black and my boyfriend is black and white. His dad is white and his mom is black. As a child gets older they see the difference and I think that my daughter will come out lookin more like my boyfriend. I am not sure how to explain to her what she is because i don't wanna give her the wrong information

Answer 1

It's amazing how young kids are when they notice race. You should just be matter of fact. Yes, you are ..... Yes, your mother is ....

It's the same principal for all differences.

Answer 2

A bird has wings because it needs them for how it lives. It makes nests in trees. Some birds eat bugs out of the air. It's wings help to keep it safe from other animals.

A giraffe has a long neck because it likes to eat the leaves way up high on trees. This helps the giraffe to live when there is a shortage of food.

Whales have a thick coat of fat called blubber all over their bodies. It keeps them warm because they swim in very cold water.

There was a time when people did not have airplanes or even boats. So where they were born that's where they lived all their lives. God, or nature, made them different so they could live well where they were born. Some people have eye shapes that work the best in lands that are very windy or have a lot of bright sunlight. Some people have powerful hearts and lungs to help them live better where the air is thin like in the mountains. Where the sun shines hot and long people have dark skin to protect them from the sun.

People come in many different colors, shapes and sizes. But the important thing to remember is we all are the same inside. We all want friends, we all want to be understood and loved. Be happy with who you are because you are the only one who will ever be you and that alone makes you special.

Answer 3

If they are old enough to understand the difference between cats and dogs, or German Shepard's and poodles, then it makes it easier to explain.

We are all part of the human race and if that was where the line is drawn, then it would be a lot easier for everyone. Poodles, German Shepard's, Chihuahua, are still dogs, but different kinds. Race is usually a physical characteristic when talking about people. It deals with heritage. American Indian, African, Asian... Race is an accident of birth. Since you can't choose your parents, you can't choose your race. Race is like the decorative packaging of a Christmas present. The real gift is on the inside.

Answer 4

I personally don't think it should ever be explained unless she asks. Chances are she will grow up being more accepting b/c she comes from different races. She will not see race/color as any sort of conflict as many do. She may ask why some are black and some are white, but you just tell her that people come in all shapes, colors and sizes. As long as you tell her that all people deserve love and respect equally, things will be fine. She will be a better person in this world b/c she won't see color, she will see people.

Answer 5

That is something I wouldn't worry about right now. That is just borrowing problems as my grandmother used to say. I have raised 3 children and am raising 2 of my 6 grandchildren. My oldest grandson is 8 and I pick him up every day after school. He has friends that are black and he has friends that are white. He has never asked anything about race or color. He sees everyone as they are and sees no difference between his friends. He has two friends that their parents are biracial and has never asked about that either. If you make a big deal out of it, then your child will too. If you let her come to her own terms about it, I think you will be amazed at her out look.

Answer 6

Just be honest. Odds are that since your families are representative of both races that your baby will just know that Grandpa is white, mom is dark brown (my children's words). And will accept it just like they accept different color hair, eyes and different heights.

We had a friend from India who was the darkest child I had ever seen. My son asked me why he was so brown and I explained that our genes set our skin color just like our hair and eyes. I told his mother that my son had asked why he was so brown and she laughed out loud because her son had asked her why my son was so white!

I would wait until your baby gets old enough to ask because I do think all questions deserve an answer. But if you don't make a big deal out of it, it probably won't be a big deal. What a good mom you're going to be!!! Worrying about how to give your child good information. Good for you!!!

Answer 7

Adults tend to make a bigger deal out of this than children do. I would wait until she brings it up. When and if she does ask, I would just give her as simple of an answer as you can. There's no need to go into great detail with small children and most of the time they are satisfied with the most simplistic explanation. You can just tell her that God makes everybody different and that's what makes each person special. The longer your answer, the more likely she is to be confused. Keep it short and sweet.

Answer 8

I haven't really went into it with my child (who is white), even though he's had black and mexican and asian children in his class. What's the point?

We told him, some people have darker skin.

He says "and I'm pink."

That's plently.

What are you worried about? ???he might hate that he's white, or maybe hate white people???? If you don't hate she shouldn't, though you may have to do some explaining. My children don't need to here about awful history just yet. My oldest is four, so you have time, don't sweat it.

I'll answer this question when it comes along.

Scientifically: Evolution seems to have resulted in coloration based on you latitude. Those peoples who are close to the equator have darker skin and those near the poles have lighter skin. Because man originated in Africa, it is likely that the "original" skin color was tan or dark brown. As he moved to brighter sun his skin evolved to darker shades to protect him and as he moved toward the poles it bacame lighter to allow him make adequate Vitamin D from the sun to keep him healthy.

Hope this helps!

Answer 9

Well, I would go about it by saying that God made everybody different. And then just explain what your mom and dad were, and then what your boyfriends were, and then that will lead to you being able to tell her what she is. You can even add in that the world would be a boring place if there wasn't so many different races and so everyone gets to be different :-)

Answer 10

The kids TV shows like Sesame Street are so into teaching ethnic diversity that after watching that for a few seasons, she could probably explain it to you. They pretty much emphasize that people come in all colors, shapes and sizes and even have a character now who is HIV positive. Also she will learn her Alphabet, Numbers, and even a little bit Spanish. And it isn't half as obnoxious to listen to as when they go through their Barney stage.

Answer 11

Well my mother brought me up as an indigineous australian *Aboriginal* . Best advice i was given was whatever colour u are where ever your from where all the same and its important for you to be able to make that clear to her. The internet in googling would have some great sites on it too

Goodluck! Im sure she'll be a blessing to your life.