How to Talk to Your Kids About Race & Racism

You'll learn powerful strategies to shift the conversation from uncomfortable to empowered when your kids ask you the hard questions.

My story

My name is Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach in San Antonio, TX. I'm a mom of 2, married 23 years, and a psychologist for 16 years. I prefer to parent with intention, purpose, and from a practical and even humorous perspective. 

I am a West Indian woman of African, Carib Indian, and European descent. I am originally from St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean. 

Growing up on the island of St. Croix my entire childhood, I saw people who looked like me in all kinds of positions of power and influence. I grew up learning, seeing, and appreciating the beauty of my skin, ethnicity, and culture. I was not ashamed. I was not treated differently. I was not invisible, ignored, or shamed for being Black. I represented the ethnic majority. I was proud! I was privileged.

At the age of 18, I arrived in Buffalo, New York to attend college. If you're not familiar with Buffalo, then you may not fully appreciate what a huge shift and culture shock this was for me. The college demographic was less than 3% African American/Black. My world was literally reversed from how I grew up. I was now a minority.

I remember my senior year of college I lived off campus. I was in the elevator with an older white woman. We had a fabulous conversation. At the end of our chat she said to me, "You're so lovely. You're not like the others." The others? What is that supposed to mean? I was the exception? Is that supposed to be a compliment? I later learned this statement is a microaggression.

I went through many phases of my racial identity development. I began to dislike my hair texture, questioned my place in the world and where I fit in, and even had dreams of being white! I was so confused. Through a lot of learning and self-discovery, I eventually accepted myself for who I was and celebrating my place in the world. It was a painful, difficult, and overwhelming process.

I want to help you and your child navigate this process a little better. 

Did you know kids start to notice differences in their caregivers by the age of 6 months old?

By 3 years of age, they notice differences in skin color and if they are not educated on these differences and taught to celebrate these differences, by 3 or 4 they start to exhibit bias towards those that are different. 

We need to teach kids empathy toward others and that differences should be celebrated, not just tolerated. Empathy is about teaching kids to be curious - to ask about their friends’ culture and be interested in what is different - to know that these differences are not less than or better. 

It’s not enough for our kids to be good people, we need to teach our kids what it means to be anti-racist.

Above all it starts with YOU. The parent. If you’re educating your kids about something and don’t believe it, they will see right through you. So let’s get to work.

What is included in this workshop?

  • 75-minute video workshop with Dr. Lockhart

  • A PDF handout with information and note-taking space

  • A BONUS handout and video for your kids!

Who is this geared towards?

Parents with kids ages 5-12 years old.

Testimonials

“That’s awesome and something for me to seriously aspire to! I am working on myself and the racist trauma (thank God for my therapist who happens to be a WOC and gets it...after 20 plus years of therapy I have one who gets that part of my trauma FINALLY) and while I heal myself I teach my boys about their gorgeous differences and those of other gorgeous children. I know they’ll deal with microaggressions (not a strong enough sounding word - but therapist taught me the powerful meaning behind it vs say systemic racism). Anyhow! Keep up the good work and the hair and makeup look fabulous!”
— Live Workshop Participant
“Thank you so much for todays event. I told my husband to listen in because I wanted him to hear you speak about things that made him Uncomfortable to speak to me or our child. At first, he was uncomfortable of course. But after listening to you for 15 mins or so. He was so engaged. He got a work call and I lowered the volume down and when he hung up, he said ok you can put the volume back up. 😳😳😳. I wasn’t expecting that!!! And I did and we listened on. He learned that he does have micro aggressions, that sometimes he does dismiss other people experiences and he felt like you really opened his mind for him to be more aware. My mind was blowing up. This was the most we had ever talked about racism. Thank you again for all your words and sharing what you experienced.”
— - CM (Live Workshop Participant)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Forever! Once you've enrolled and paid, you'll have access to the course material for as long as you need. So devour it all in one weekend or take things slow. It's your choice!

  • My team and I at A New Day Pediatric Psychology can help you. Check us out at www.anewdaysa.com. Then, send us an email at info@anewdaysa.com or call us at 210-816-4149 when you're ready.

  • I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. Send me an email at info@anewdaysa.com.