I am back today because I wanted to share my usual Things I’m Loving Friday roundup of favorites with you but wanted to begin today’s roundup with some of the articles and resources I’ve read over the course of the past week that I found particularly educational and helpful. I feel like there is no shortage of roundups like this on the internet right now but I hope they’re of interest to you. I’m doing a lot of saving of blog posts, articles, Instagram shares, etc. because it can all feel a bit like information overload (a GOOD thing!) and this is a process I know will be ongoing for me and hopefully many.
Things I’m Loving Friday
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Anti-Racism Articles and Resources
This is a compilation of articles and resources that spoke to me personally throughout this week. I hope they will be of interest to you as well.
75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice: I’m guilty of feeling overwhelmed to the point I feel frozen when it comes to being actively anti-racist and found this article particularly helpful and action-oriented
Anti-Racism Resources for White People: This was one of the most direct and helpful compilations of resources I’ve found
Anti-Racist Fiction Reading List: For my fellow bookworms who love fiction, this is a list of fictional stories that center Black people and Black lives written by Black writers telling their stories
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man: This video is articulate and informative and worth a watch in its entirety
Anti-Racism Daily Newsletter: I signed up to receive this newsletter to keep my education regarding anti-racism consistent and persistent
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Anti-Racism, Race and Parenting Articles and Resources
(Image of books from @wildflowerlibertyleague)
This is a list of articles and book lists that spoke to me as a mother. For those looking for ways to discuss race with children and incorporate more books featuring Black people into their personal collections, I hope you find these articles and resources helpful.
A White Families’ Guide For Talking About Racism (I purchased this to help guide my discussions with Chase and, eventually, Ryder and baby #3 as well. After reviewing the PDF, it is incredibly well done and essentially provides caregivers a script and photos to help guide an interactive discussion about racism, bias and how to be an ally. I will absolutely share more about our experience with this guide once we’ve completed it with Chase.)
‘Raising White Kids’ Author On How White Parents Can Talk About Race
Raising Race-Conscious Children
Are Your Kids Too Young To Talk About Race?
Black Boy Joy: 30 Picture Books Featuring Black Male Protagonists
Black Girl Magic: 33 Picture Books Featuring Black Female Protagonists
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Excellent Ed BY STACY MCANULTY, ILLUSTRATED BY JULIA SARCONE-ROACH
I saw a bunch of book roundups featuring Black characters this week and wanted to chime in and share one of our family’s favorites. I actually shared this book on the blog when I wrote my blog post about Favorite Books for Four Year Olds last year and recall specifically wanting to mention that one of the reasons it is one of my personal favorites is the fact that the Family in the book is Black. I didn’t know how to say this on the blog without coming out and saying it just like that and recalling this experience just reiterated in my mind the fact that I have so much to learn in my personal journey to becoming more actively anti-racist.
I felt awkward and uncomfortable saying something as simple as, “This family in this book is black and we think that’s awesome and your kids will love it!” Why!? Because it drew attention to race and I’m a white woman? Over the course of the past week, one of the most poignant things I’ve learned is that we WILL make mistakes. We WILL feel uncomfortable, likely say the wrong thing, stumble and flounder a bit as we try to grow and change and do better. The overwhelming sentiment I took away from the Black community regarding this feeling was to DO IT ANYWAY. Share, stumble, do more. You will make mistakes, people will correct you… and you will change and hopefully impact change moving forward.
When I initially shared Excellent Ed on my blog, I focused on the fact that this book features Ed, the Ellis family dog who believes everyone in the family is excellent at something but him. Ed is determined to find something to excel at only to be outdone by each of the Ellis children. As the book continues, it ever-so-subtly offers a glimpse into sibling rivalry and feeling good about yourself even if you’re not always the best at everything. And it absolutely does all of those things. But it also features a black family and I think that’s awesome.
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Celebrating My Dad’s Birthday
One very special thing I am loving right now is having my parents here with us! My mom and dad drove in town from Florida and arrived yesterday afternoon and we could not be more grateful to have them staying with us for the weekend ahead. It’s been a good 5+ months since I’ve seen my dad and 3+ months since I’ve seen my mom so you better believe there was a lot of excitement and emotion involved in their arrival! Chase and I made my dad a birthday cake from scratch and it was so, so nice to be able to see family again and simply enjoy being together. Our plans for the weekend look similar to the past few months (boating, grilling, spending time outside) but they feel all the more special since we’ll have Mae and Pop with us for the fun!
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XL Beach/Boat/Pool Bag
Years ago, I shared beach bags I loved from a brand called Hayden Reis on the blog and a month or so ago, I was so disappointed when I headed to their website to order another bag and found that they’re no longer in business. I loved how huge their bags were and the way they wiped clean and didn’t soak up a ton of water. I then became a woman on a mission to find an extra-large bag for our days on the lake (and hopefully the pool this summer!) that would hold our family’s towels, snacks, a few kid toys, sunscreen and water bottles. Clearly a LARGE order!
Well, I found a big-time winner on the L.L.Bean website and cannot sing its praises loud enough! (I maaay have sent Ryan a link to the bag as a birthday present hint this year.) The size is huge which is exactly what I was looking for because I get oddly stressed out when my bags are overly stuffed and I cannot comfortably sift through them. The quality of this bag is fantastic, the price point is decent ($45!) and I love the way the interior of the bag is made with a thermoplastic interior coating that is water resistant — perfect for damp clothes and towels after a day on the water! My sister loved the bag instantly during their visit (one may or may not be coming her way for her birthday at the end of the month…) and I know this will be my go-to giant summer tote bag. Oh and if you don’t need to cart around a billion towels and snacks, it’s available in a medium and large size, too!
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Another Week, Another Mocktail
The sparkling water + juice-based mocktails continue over here and the one I’m sharing with you this week was a tropical delight! This one featured a combination of coconut pineapple sparkling water and orange juice and may just become my official mocktail of summer. Also, as a random aside, do any of your kids love bubbly water, too? Ryder and Chase are all about it and Ryder runs over to me whenever he hears a can pop open and says, “bubbie, bubbie” over and over again until he gets a sip. He looks totally shocked by the carbonation after every sip (big eyes + a wide-open mouth after he swallows) and then immediately asks for more. Let’s just say I wasn’t the only one enjoying my mocktails this week…
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Friday Flashbacks
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad (Bright and flavorful and a great recipe you can easily prep ahead, whether it be for a summer cookout or a nourishing weekday lunch!)
Paleo Lemon Cupcakes (A sweet and tangy gluten-free dessert, made with fresh lemon juice and sweetened with honey.)
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are looking forward to this weekend?
What is one thing making you smile right now?
The post Things I’m Loving Friday #329 appeared first on Peanut Butter Fingers.
