I spotted the grandparents in their car before meeting the young girl. They were cozily reading while a few of their grandchildren played at the nearby playground.
As we strolled down the path toward the wood chips, we encountered a little girl, who later introduced herself as 8 years old. She leaped from her swing and exclaimed loudly, “That baby is really red!” Her brother joined her, and I couldn’t help but grin when my daughter, Lily, who is 4 but quite petite, boldly retorted, “I’m not a baby!”
Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood for an educational discussion that day. I simply wanted to enjoy pushing my kids on the swings. Nonetheless, I briefly explained that Lily has a skin condition, which is how she was born, and I introduced both of my kids by name. I pointed to the little boy’s shirt, which showcased the logo of the St. Louis Cardinals, and said, “Oh, do you like the Cardinals? Lily and Jake are fans too!” This momentary distraction made both kids smile, momentarily sidestepping their initial observations about Lily’s skin.
Before long, the inquisitive girl returned to us on the swings, posing more questions—curious yet friendly. “Why does it peel like that?” “Why is she so small? She looks younger than 4!” “Why doesn’t she have much hair?” I answered all her inquiries and added in some light conversation about her age, her school, and her involvement in Girl Scouts, which led to a fun discussion about our favorite cookies. Eventually, the questions faded, and the chatter shifted to typical playground banter as more kids arrived.
Later, while playing on some climbing equipment, another child approached, and the little girl quickly spoke up when she noticed Lily. “That’s how she was born. Isn’t she cute? She looks like a baby, but she’s not!”
Though being bombarded with questions wasn’t my ideal scenario for a park day, I felt grateful that there was no adult around to whisk the girl away at the first inquiry. Not only did she get her questions answered positively, but she also enjoyed a delightful conversation. She witnessed Lily laugh, play, and swing just like any other child. She learned that Lily’s favorite Girl Scout Cookie is the Peanut Butter Patties, that she goes to school just like her, and that she has a brother the same age as hers.
Moreover, Lily had a wonderful opportunity to express herself confidently, stating, “I’m not a baby,” and “That’s how I was born.” She was able to foster a dialogue instead of feeling confused about why a potential new friend was being pulled away.
This was the first time we encountered such curious questions without adult intervention, and as we left, I was pleased with the positive experience for both my kids and the other children involved. I firmly believe that when we let our children learn about each other through respectful language and positive interactions, we promote acceptance and appreciation for our inherent differences. Unique traits don’t equate to being strange or odd. In fact, differences are a natural part of every individual; our remarkable creator has crafted us into beautiful masterpieces.
Weeks later, I returned to the same park with my kids and spotted that familiar vehicle in the parking lot. The same little girl met us at the beginning of the path as we entered. This time, she greeted us with an exuberant smile, “You came back!!” No more questions about Lily’s skin; instead, it was playful chatter about the interests of 8-year-olds. She had learned and accepted, and our differences no longer mattered. We were just friends.
In summary, encouraging our children to explore and embrace differences fosters understanding and connection. By allowing open dialogue and positive interactions, we create an environment where acceptance thrives.