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Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Holidays! An opportunity to embrace to embrace cultures, spread joy, and be inclusive of all! Do you agree?

My girls were asked by their school friends what holidays they celebrate in the winter. And they both said technically neither Hanukkah nor Christmas. Some of the kids said to them they have to celebrate one. 

To be clear- I actually love their friends ask them questions - curiosity is a gift and better to ask versus assume. To me, it shows that the kids care to get to know each other. 

As the only Hindus in their school- I was so proud of my girls sharing that “We are Hindu. While we do not celebrate the December holidays religiously but we celebrate them all because they bring happiness. We have a Christmas tree, a menorah, and a kinara.” 

Being Indian-American- during the December holiday season, I have the best of all worlds.  I feel like it’s a gift to be exposed and to have friends of all faiths. And wow- the girls l...

The countdown that is all over the news is now here- the big date November 3^rd.  For me, it is all summed up in one simple word- "belonging."  I aspire for my children to have inclusivity in their DNA, to feel that they belong and welcome diversity.  Now, I know that will never be 100% for everyone at all times, that’s just the world we live in.  But, we should aim to cultivate that environment for all those around us.

Similar to the recent videos related to name pronunciation, my name has been mispronounced my whole life. I know it is different outside of “mainstream names” that I used to see on key chains growing up but does that mean people shouldn’t try to say it?  Please watch the insights from Shyla.

My name is Lakshmi- properly pronounced “Luck-shme”. As an elementary school child new to the US, I used to cringe when a substitute teacher came into the classroom. Does anyone else know that feeling? They would just look at my name and not even try to say anything and just say—oh...