Teaching My Kids to Be Allies
— 2 min read —
Pride Month always makes me pause and reflect—not just on how far we’ve come, but how much more we still need to teach, listen and learn, especially at home.
This year, I’ve been having little conversations with my kids about what it means to be an ally. Not the “let’s read a whole book and turn it into a lesson” kind (although we’ve done that too), but the real-life, snack-time, in-the-backseat-on-the-way-to-hockey kind.
We’ve talked about how families don’t all look the same. How pronouns matter. How we never assume someone’s identity. And most importantly—how our job is to be kind, inclusive, and willing to speak up when something feels wrong.
The other day, Rosie (she’s 11) asked if she could wear her rainbow bead bracelet “just in case someone at school needs to know I’m safe to talk to.” I nearly cried. She’s already learning what it means to hold space for others—and to be that space, even if she’s still figuring it all out.
Do they fully get it yet? Maybe? Maybe not. But they’re starting to. And honestly, that’s enough for me right now.
Because allyship isn’t performative. It’s not wearing a rainbow for the month of June and calling it a day. It’s a practice. And it starts with our own kids, in the most everyday of moments.
So, we’ll keep talking. We’ll keep learning. We’ll keep showing up. For our friends, our neighbours, and for anyone whose identity or safety is still up for debate.
Happy Pride, friends. Let’s raise them to be loud, proud allies—one honest conversation at a time. 💛
—Aliya
This blog post was written by wellbe co-owner, Registered Acupuncturist + Chiropractor Dr Aliya Visram.