Tuesday, April 26, 2011

"God made us all different, Sweetheart"

Well, I knew it would happen at some point. I assume that every parent has a story of when their child said something inappropriate. I had my "moment" yesterday while checking out at a doctor's clinic. I was with my 6 year old son trying to keep him standing still, since he had just been given medication that made him "jumpy." :) Well, his attention was diverted and he said "Whaaat??? That Daddy is so weird! Look at that weird little Daddy!" I was horrified to hear my son say this! I tried to grab him quickly and stop the chatter that was exiting his mouth, but it was too late. There was no way that this man (or anyone else in the waiting room) did not hear what my son said. The man had walked by swiftly and I quickly knelt down and explained that God made people of all sizes and that some are very tall, some are short and others are right in the middle. I told him that just like he is not exactly like his brother, all the dads are not same either. He seemed to understand, but this morning he was very concerned and asked me if his Daddy will get little soon too.

Have you ever been in a similar situation? Do you have any suggestions on teaching children that just because someone looks different on the outside they are the same on the inside?

(I changed the settings so anyone can leave a comment by choosing to be anonymous - of course you can always leave me your name if you want!)


5 comments:

  1. I'm afraid we've all had those moments and it sounds like you handled it the best you could!

    I did try to talk with my children at home from time to time about how God made everyone different, but that each person is exactly how He designed them to be. I also tried to explain how we wouldn't want to hurt someone's feelings by pointing out their difference, just as my children wouldn't like having that done to them.

    That being said, I think there are still times those embarrasing words slip out and all we can do as moms is to make it as much of a teachable moment as possible.

    Hope you have a great evening!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks to me like you gave him the perfect answer!!! I've had some of those moments with my 93 year old mother as well!! Embarrassing!!!!

    Connie H.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I echo what Tracey and Connie already said ~ sounds like you handled this with wisdom and grace!

    One book that just popped into my mind that is on my kiddos' bedroom bookshelf is "I Love You With All My Heart" by Noris Kern. It is a cute children's book about a little polar bear that meets different animal friends. He sees that they all look and act very different, but the common theme is that each of their mothers loves their children with all that they are. In the end, he finds out how much his own mother loves him. But the idea is that everyone looks very different on the outside, yet they all share the same deep love for their children on the inside. It's a very simple little book, but when I read your post, it just popped into mind that it might address this little episode very well! =) B got this from a friend for Valentine's Day several years ago ~ all my kids like the book. I think it's a scholastic one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you Ladies! Katie - I just ordered the book from the library. I think I might also find "Little People, Big World" on TLC and literally show my kids that people come in all sizes. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm usually on the recieving end of those comments. Kids are kids and we all know that they don't have good filters for what they say.

    What bothers me is when a child asks why I have a cane or why the dark glasses and the parent won't tell them or let me tell them.

    At a garage sale a little girl asked about my cane and before I could finish telling her that I didn't see like she did her mom pulled her down the driveway and left. At Walmart one of my son's daycare friends was walking with her mom and when my mom told me who she was I said "Hello xxxx" and the mom just kept walking and pulled her away as the child was saying "BUT MOM that's Cxxxx's Mommy"

    I think taking the time to talk to your son right there was GREAT. You're a great Mom, and it was a learning experience. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete