“I’m trying to not always require obedience even though it might be helpful in the moment. I was raised with obedience first and everything else second. We were supposed to always stand still. We weren’t to be seen or heard in the presence of adults. My mom was a single mother in a tough neighborhood, so in her mind, obedience meant safety. It’s what she felt she had to do. She only spoke to us in directions. And that caused me to grow up not really knowing what I wanted for myself. I’d even look to other people to tell me what I wanted. So I’m trying to raise her with a bit more independence. I want her to be creative and have freedom of movement. If that means running in circles, or jumping up and down while she’s eating her grapes, I’ll let her. Even if I’m tired.”
How to raise care free black children.
