Open Letter To Black Single Moms
We have the power in us to raise the next generation. As a matter of fact, we are. And in our hands, body, and minds– we hold all the power that we need.
Our children are craving for two things from us: love and attention
In addition to what they crave, there is one thing that we all want for our children: to be prepared
We want to prepare them– although most of us were not…
We want them to be prepared for all the things:
Prepared for school
Prepared for their first friend
Prepared for when they go off to college or start their first job
Prepared to help someone in need
Prepared to sacrifice for their family and children
Prepared for when someone accuses them of a wrongdoing
Prepared for the day we are not there to speak for them
Prepared for the day they have to speak up for themselves to their peers, teachers, community leaders
We want them to be prepared
Many of us do not know where to start
How do we prepare a child for a future unknown?
We read to them
To many this may seem like a silly idea
“Aren’t they getting this in school?!” — some may say
“I don’t read to my child…” — some may whisper in fear
My answer to that: Many schools do not read to our children
Many teachers read 1 book a day
Many read only books with children that do not look like ours
And if before you read this open letter you did not read to your children…
It is okay
None of that matters
We can give our children love, attention, and preparedness if we make read-alouds the norm in our homes
Like you, I am a single mother. I work hard day in and day out to make sure I can provide for my child. At the end of the day, I am tired. For that reason– we reserve most heavy play and activity for the weekend. Through reading to my child, however, it provides that love and affection we both need to bring us back to center and remind us what is important–daily. After reading a well-chosen book to my child– we both feel warm and loved.
More than that– well chosen books can help to reinforce themes that we want to teach our children:
Raising leaders
Building confidence
Raising independent thinkers
Raising compassionate and empathetic kids
I know– it’s hard to choose books when our children are seldom represented in the pages. I hear you! But there are books out there. I can help you find them.
This is what I know for sure:
- School is not enough— reading to our children in our homes gives them an edge and makes them feel loved and appreciated. You are devoting an uninterrupted, consistent, amount of time to bond with them
- Reading to our children gives them words— we don’t use sophisticated words in our home. But books do. Reading to our children, no matter how young they are increases their vocabulary
- Single moms have what they need for the journey— no matter how long we are single– God has prepared us for this time. Never doubt that you are enough!
Let’s read to our children. Let’s give them words. Let’s prepare them for life and send them out into the world every day their best selves!
Let books empower our children!
❤️ Quinn
