[Podcast] Building a Family Heritage through Homeschool with Amber O’Neal Johnston – Part Two

Brave Writer Podcast

We’re continuing our deep dive discussion into Amber O’Neal Johnston’s new book, A Place to Belong.

Previously in Part One, we talked about what led Amber to write the book—having a big juicy discussion around family culture, normalizing difficult conversations, and building a framework for inclusion within the family. We also talked about the different ways books can be viewed through a cultural lens: As mirrors, windows, or sliding doors.

Amber O'Neal Johnston
Amber O’Neal Johnston

Today on the Brave Writer podcast, we’re picking up the conversation around curating the home library.

Show Notes

Representation in Children’s Literature

Children’s literature plays a pivotal role in shaping young minds. It’s essential for every child to find themselves mirrored in the stories they read, building both self-identity and empathy. However, the landscape of children’s books isn’t always as diverse as it should be. Black, middle-grade authors, for instance, often find themselves limited by industry expectations, pressing the need for a broader range of stories that reflect varied experiences. Still, we must work towards expanding our children’s libraries from ones that are colorblind to ones that are colorful.

The Problem with the “Single Story” Approach

Relying on a “single story” approach in literature can inadvertently limit a child’s understanding and perpetuate stereotypes. Imagine a librarian recommending books based solely on racial assumptions, missing the mark on the actual experiences of the readers. Such instances highlight the broader challenge of biases in literature and underscore the importance of diverse narratives.

Living Books & Home Libraries

The term “living books” captures the essence of literature that deeply resonates with readers. But how can parents curate a collection of such impactful books at home? The key lies in selecting stories that not only entertain but also:

  • educate,
  • inspire,
  • and mirror diverse life experiences.

A well-thought-out home library can be a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration for young minds.

Family Culture & Legacy

Family traditions, recipes, and shared stories form the bedrock of our cultural heritage. By cherishing and passing down these memories, we offer children a sense of shared history and identity. This rich tapestry of familial experiences serves as a foundation, grounding children and giving them a clear sense of belonging and identity.

Legacy Mindset

Every action today shapes the legacy of tomorrow. Instilling a “legacy mindset” in children means teaching them to recognize the importance of their current experiences in crafting their personal and collective histories. Whether it’s cherishing today’s moments or planning for the future, understanding the significance of the present empowers children to shape a brighter, more intentional future.

The stories we share with our children, the traditions we uphold, and the values we instill form the backbone of their worldview. As guardians of the next generation, it’s our responsibility to curate experiences that are both reflective of their identity and expansive in perspective. By embracing diverse literature, cherishing family legacies, and fostering a forward-thinking mindset, we empower our children to navigate the world with:

  • empathy,
  • curiosity,
  • and a strong sense of self.

Let’s commit to laying down a foundation rich in stories and values that will guide them today and inspire them tomorrow.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

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Make Learning Stick: Two-Product Bundles

Brave Writer

I once met a lady who homeschools
While juggling a baby who drools
She fought to teach writing
Stop the toddlers from biting
And forgot a semicolon’s rules

Is this you? It was surely one of my best friends. She came to me with exasperation.

How was she supposed to know all the rules of punctuation?

How could she teach it without the kids devolving into a fight?

We talked—and lo and behold! She discovered she, too, could lead a writing program even without a copyeditor’s knowledge of all the grammar rules! You can too.

I designed a bunch of programs that are kid (and parent!) friendly.

Two-Product Bundles

You can purchase two-product bundles to get started or to supplement Growing Brave Writers (if you’ve already got it). These products teach literature, grammar, punctuation, and developmentally scaled writing assignments.

Hop on board so that we can rewrite that limerick to read:

I once met a lady who homeschools
At ease with writing rules
Her kids self-expressed
Wordy missives—the best!
Brave Writer gave her the tools

Brave Writer Bundles

If you’re looking for some additional support, check out our online classes.

Psst: Do you have new-to-Brave-Writer friends? You can get a discount for them and for yourself using our Refer-a-Friend program!

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The Importance of Rest

Brave Writer

We cannot underestimate the power of fatigue to crush the life out of even the strongest of us! Take a nap, swing in a hammock, snooze.

The most difficult resource to keep in stock is rest.

Yet rest changes everything!

It affects our:

  • mood
  • energy level
  • outlook
  • ability to respond to crisis
  • tolerance for chaos and noise
  • generosity toward childishness
  • wellbeing
  • ability to concentrate

When you find yourself short, disorganized, bored, sounding the alarm that the world is ending, ask yourself when last you got 6-8 hours of sleep without constant interruption.

It’s difficult to catch up when you breastfeed or have a chronic bedwetter. I know. That’s why taking naps, having a partner who can swap sleeps with you (so you’re not on call every night), and even resorting to booking a room at a hotel for a night just for you can change your life.

When in doubt, assume you need more sleep. Then find a way to get it.

(Also: throw in a dose of sunshine. Get outside where the sun can kiss your skin… it helps.)

This post is originally from my @juliebogartwriter Instagram account.
Follow along for more conversations like this one!

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Friday Freewrite: Catch Up on Sleep

Friday Freewrite

There’s a phrase that goes, “I need to catch up on sleep.” Imagine that Sleep is actually running away from you after a poor night’s rest. Describe how you’d try to reach them and then convince them to stay longer next time.

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

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[Podcast] Building a Family Heritage through Homeschool with Amber O’Neal Johnston – Part One

Brave Writer Podcast

The heart and soul behind heritagemom.com and a proud contributor to the Wild + Free homeschooling community, Amber O’Neal Johnston has woven her experiences into a beautiful narrative in her book, A Place to Belong.

Amber O'Neal Johnston
Amber O’Neal Johnston

Amber’s book serves as a rich resource for families across the spectrum, exploring homes that are:

  • inclusive,
  • culturally rich,
  • and socially conscious.

Today on the Brave Writer podcast, we’re diving deep into this narrative with Amber, talking author to author and homeschooling mom to homeschooling mom about the essence of A Place to Belong.

Show Notes

Inspiration for “A Place to Belong”

A heart-wrenching personal awakening around her eldest child’s struggles with self-worth and identity spurred Amber to pen this literary gem. Recognizing the gaps and unintentional omissions in her child’s education about race and identity, Amber addresses the need to move beyond extreme colorblindness, emphasizing the importance of embracing our unique roots, culture, and identity. As Toni Morrison beautifully put, “If there’s a book that you want to read and it hasn’t been written, then you should write it.” And so, Amber did.

What the Book is About

In A Place to Belong, Amber delves into the significance of introspection and awareness for parents. It’s not merely about understanding our children but also diving deep into our emotions, biases, and beliefs. She underscores that confronting and navigating through the emotional discomfort of parent-child conversations, especially those revolving around race, identity, and culture, is paramount. Amber also takes us on a journey through the tapestry of family culture. She emphasizes that it’s not just about annual traditions or favorite family pastimes but delving deeper into the realms of cultural heritage and background. What messages are we unconsciously sending our children through our chosen way of life? Importantly, she reminds us that these discussions and introspections about cultural heritage aren’t exclusive to any particular racial or ethnic group. White families, black families, brown families – every household has a story, a history, and a culture worth exploring and celebrating.

Evaluating Family Culture

Every family is unique, and every child should feel at home in their family culture. To truly embrace inclusivity, parents should:

  • Reflect on their social circles and children’s friends.
  • Ask if these circles reflect diversity or are they insular?
  • Evaluate their stance on race, stereotypes, and biases.

Inclusivity isn’t just about certain months dedicated to specific histories. It’s about making inclusivity a way of life, not just a topic of discussion. It’s about moving from compartmentalization to integration.

Being an “Askable” Parent

Coined by Dr. Gordon, the term “askable parent” is a badge of honor. It signifies a parent’s commitment to be available, open, and honest with their child. From answering unexpected questions to addressing bold or “inappropriate” topics, being an askable parent means creating a safe space for your child to grow and learn. And sometimes, it means saving those pressing public questions for a private chat in the car.

3 Types of Books

Every book holds a lesson, but not all books represent every reader. Amber classifies books into:

  • Mirrors: These reflect a reader’s life.
  • Windows: These give insights into others’ lives.
  • Sliding Glass Doors: These are so relatable that readers envision themselves in the narrative.

While many families have ample mirror books, the challenge lies in balancing these with window books, enabling kids to see the vibrant tapestry of our world. For Amber, this realization came when she noticed her child’s library was lacking diversity. It’s not about blame but about continuous learning and updating our bookshelves.

The crux of our journey with Amber is simple yet profound: To promote joyful inquiry and introduce our children to a diverse literary realm. Let’s embrace this vibrant world, hand in hand with our kids, leading them towards a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Produced by NOVA Media

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