We never expected to cause a scene during a fun neighborhood event in Brighton—a Halloween-style parade where locals dressed up as anything British. My daughter went all out as Queen Elizabeth, complete with corgis, and my son was her royal guard in full regalia. The crowd loved it—tourists clapped, locals smiled, and some even offered tea biscuits. It felt like a parenting win.
But near the end of the parade, a woman watching us suddenly stopped me. Older, wrapped in a heavy coat, she stared sharply at my kids’ costumes. Then, unexpectedly stern, she said, “I hope you’re not teaching your children to celebrate the monarchy.” She criticized the monarchy as a symbol of power, privilege, and oppression, accusing me of ignoring its darker history.
I was stunned and didn’t know how to respond. I tried to explain it was just harmless fun for the kids. She scoffed and said I should be teaching them to question those systems, not blindly celebrate them. Her words shook me. My kids were just playing, but she made me see the layers I hadn’t thought about.
When my daughter twirled happily in her royal gown, the woman’s hard expression softened briefly, then hardened again as she walked away.
Later, I felt conflicted—was I wrong to let my kids enjoy their costumes without considering history’s weight? That night, I researched the monarchy’s role in colonialism and felt embarrassed by how little I knew. Still, I realized I couldn’t shield my children from every uncomfortable truth, but I could teach them to think critically and understand history’s complexities as they grow.
Months later, my daughter asked why people still liked the queen if she hadn’t been kind to everyone. We talked openly about the good and bad parts of history, and I was proud we could have that honest conversation.
Sometimes uncomfortable moments push us to grow. Parenting isn’t about hiding reality but preparing our kids to face it with open minds and hearts.
If you’ve ever faced a moment that challenged your views, I hope you find courage to learn and grow—there’s always room for understanding, no matter where we start.
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