During a family vacation in Brighton, we stumbled upon a charming Halloween parade with a playful British twist. Wanting to join in the fun, my daughter dressed up as Queen Elizabeth, and my son as her royal guard—plastic rifle and all. Locals smiled, snapped pictures, even handed out biscuits. For a moment, it felt like a parenting win—lighthearted fun, laughter, and sweet memories.

Then we met her.

An older woman pulled me aside, her tone sharp but calm. “Are you really teaching your children to celebrate the monarchy?” she asked. “It’s a symbol of oppression and colonialism.”

I froze. This was supposed to be a costume parade—not a political statement. But her words lingered. That night, back at our rental, I couldn’t shake the discomfort. So I did what I hadn’t done before—I read. About colonialism, inequality, and the complicated legacy of the monarchy. There was so much I hadn’t considered.

I hadn’t meant to spark a debate—I just wanted my kids to enjoy themselves. But maybe joy and history aren’t always so separate.

A few months later, my daughter asked me, “Why do people still like the queen if she wasn’t nice to everyone?”

And just like that, the real conversation began.

That day at the parade taught me something unexpected: parenting isn’t just about creating happy memories—it’s about helping our kids understand the world, even when it’s messy. We won’t always get everything right. But if we stay open, we can grow—together.