My son asked me the other day, “Who is this guy on my calendar?” I was disappointed in myself that I took for granted that maybe he was taught this at school. I went into his book cabinet and pulled out a book on Martin Luther King, Jr that was made for kids. My husband and I read it to him and his brother over the last few days.
Today as we drove to my moms house my son said, ” I want to be a good man like Martin Luther King.” I told him that is a good thing to want to be. Then he began telling me things from the story and about how when King was a boy he wasn’t allowed to play with boys like him-with a white face. He said he would be sad if he couldn’t play with his friends and that it is a good thing that people understand that we are all the same. “Even if some people were mad at what King was trying to do, It was a good thing.” -six year old wisdom
>
I’m not the best person at explaining thing at times, especially on an age appropriate level, but I’m glad he understood as much as he did and asked some tough question of me.
Today is NOT just a day off. It is a day to remember a great man. If you haven’t taken the time to explain to your kids-just do it. Here is a link to his biography if you want a refresher or more specifics. There is so much more to this mans life than his famous “I have a dream..” speech.
When my husband came home from work today he asked my son why he was home from school. My son answered, ” I’m not just home it’s Martin Luther King day daddy!