How to Say Hello by Sophie Beer

Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. So, Sex Ed Rescue is my website where I help parents find a better way to talk to their kids about sex. Today, I want to chat with you about this awesome book by Sophie Beer.

It’s called How to Say Hello, and let me tell you, it’s a gem. This board book is perfect for starting conversations with kids about different ways to greet people. You know how it goes when kids are little, right? Grandparents and relatives always want to hug and kiss them. And as parents, we often find ourselves saying, Go give Grandma a kiss or Say hello to Aunt Dora. But here’s the thing: teaching consent is crucial. We need to empower our kids to be the bosses of their own bodies.

If we want our kids to trust their instincts and feel comfortable setting boundaries, we need to have conversations like this. And that’s why I love this book!

It offers alternative ways to say hello, which is a fantastic starting point for these conversations. You can even get a grandparent to read it to your little one, and then ask them how they would like to say hello to Grandma next time she visits. Sometimes, getting others involved in the conversation through books can make them more aware of the importance of consent.

Now, let’s dive into the book itself. It starts off simple, suggesting we can say hello with an elbow bump. And what I absolutely adore about Sophie Beer’s work is the diversity she portrays. The book showcases different body shapes, genders, and abilities. It’s inclusive and breaks those gender stereotypes. There are so many conversations we can have with our kids while reading this book!

We learn that we can say hello with a smile, or even from somewhere we feel safe, like behind our parents’ legs. The book explores numerous ways to say hello, and it’s a wonderful tool for discussing consent and the fact that our kids are in charge of their bodies.

Now, I know some parents worry about their child coming across as rude if they don’t greet someone in a traditional way. But here’s the thing: we can teach our kids to be polite on their own terms. Instead of just walking off and ignoring someone, we can prompt them to find their own way to say hello. It’s about allowing them to feel safe and comfortable while still being respectful. They’re not being rude at all!

I remember when my own kids were younger, I had concerns about finding that balance between respecting their autonomy and ensuring they grew up with good manners. It’s a tricky line to walk, but understanding societal norms can help our kids navigate the world they live in.

Anyway, I’ve rambled on enough about this book. I just want to say that I absolutely love it, along with all of Sophie Beer’s other books. They’re fantastic resources for starting important conversations with our little ones.

Cheers!