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Mom’s Viral Post Urges Strangers to Mind Their Own Business
Updated: May 26, 2016
Originally Published: May 25, 2016
A mom stands up for her son after a stranger criticizes his princess outfit.
One of the toughest challenges of parenting is navigating the unsolicited advice from strangers who think they know better. But when that advice crosses the line into shaming a child? That’s when the “mama bear” instincts kick in. This is exactly what happened when a mom decided to take to Facebook to call out a stranger for criticizing her son’s choice to wear a princess dress.
In her now-viral post, mom Sarah Collins recounts how she and her three-year-old son, Liam, were waiting for the bus when a passerby felt the need to comment on Liam’s outfit. Being a huge fan of all things princess, Liam was decked out in a fabulous Frozen ensemble, complete with a sparkling cape. Apparently, this woman had a problem with a little boy enjoying a dress.
“I’m NOT sorry that you didn’t like his outfit or that you didn’t appreciate our conversation about our favorite Disney princess (which, for the record, is Ariel),” Collins wrote in her post. “Liam can be whoever he wants to be. Today, he was a Disney princess, and YES, I let him wear that to school. Why? Because that’s what made him happy!”
Collins shared that Liam was absolutely thrilled to show off his costume to his teacher and friends, and he was even planning to perform “Let It Go” for show and tell. Most importantly, he wore the dress because “he’s awesome,” and he doesn’t see anything wrong with what he loves.
As Collins emphasized, “He doesn’t understand the outdated gender norms YOU think he should stick to… He plays with trucks and dolls, superheroes and fairies. He rides his bike or pushes his toy stroller. He can wear face paint or nail polish, and if he wants to wear a dress, then that’s his choice!!”
For Collins and many other parents, myself included, it’s crucial to allow children to explore their identities and interests freely. We’re gradually moving away from strict gender roles, and it’s perfectly fine if our daughter loves dinosaurs and our son wants to be Cinderella. As the 20,000 people who have shared her post can attest, kids will gravitate towards what they enjoy, and that should never be a source of shame.
What’s truly unacceptable is shaming children for their choices or how they express themselves. If someone disagrees with a parenting approach, that’s fine, but kids shouldn’t have to endure judgment, glares, or rude comments. Seriously, who thinks it’s okay to criticize a child for wearing a dress but finds shaming them acceptable?
As Collins put it perfectly, “Next time you see us, whether we’re dressed as a princess or a pirate, keep your negative comments to yourself. Unless you want to tell him how amazing he looks, keep your toxic words to yourself! You should be the one embarrassed to be out in public, not us!!”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
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In summary, this mom’s viral post serves as a powerful reminder that children should feel free to express themselves without the fear of judgment from others. It’s crucial for parents to create a supportive environment where kids can explore their identities without shame or ridicule.