High Maintenance Mom

There are many ways you can celebrate and talk about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with your kids. On Friday, we played some of the "I have a dream" speech from American Rhetoric. Kids can hear the emotion in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s voice. I wanted my kids to listen, as many did then, but they liked watching a little of the video on YouTube better. You can also read a few sentence from the speech depending on the age and curiosity of your child (see below). Because our historic inauguration is the day after, it feels like there is a lot to discuss. In addition, President-Elect, Barack Obama, is urging us to help out in our communities on Monday and throughout the year as an antidote to the recession. That's a lot to do for one day...

We have been trying to talk a little with our kids about why the inauguration is historic. Our first grader is puzzled by why someone might be judged based on how they look, which is exciting for us. At first I was afraid that by having the discussions, I would force our kids to pay attention to race, which is something I am proud they don't see. So far, our discussions have been about standing up for what you believe in and helping out others. We have talked a little bit about race and religion. The conversations have been short, but he's also discussing the concepts at school so I'm happy we're having them.

A few activities for Monday that you might consider include talking about what makes a hero, see Heros and Heroines. Or making paper chains and having a birthday party - everyone loves to blow out candles, see Decorate with many colors. And there are always coloring pages and word searches.

Below is the part of the "I Have a Dream" speech I read to my kids.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For more information, see the Wikipedia Martin Luther King, Jr. page.