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Don’t Tell My Little Girl That ‘Big Girls’ Don’t Cry
Lately, I’ve been noticing a trend that makes my heart ache. People seem to think my little girl is too grown-up for diapers. They expect her to understand age differences or to hold up two fingers on command when a stranger asks.
I remember my cousin, who had to drag his birth certificate to every youth football game, and still got kicked out of the league eventually. Then there was his brother, who faced ridicule while trick-or-treating at the age of 12 because he towered over his peers.
And let’s not forget my husband, who has had his share of run-ins with the police. Whenever he’s pulled over, he has to warn the officer about his size because, well, giant men and cops don’t always mix well.
But when a stranger tells my little girl that “big girls don’t cry,” I want you to know you’re not doing her any favors. Sure, she may seem too old to be upset about a broken crayon at Target, but she’s only two!
She still gets scared in the dark and needs the comfort of her momma when she’s not feeling well. Even during her adventures, sometimes she just needs a hand to hold for balance and reassurance, reminding her she’s not alone. When she wakes from a nightmare, her shoe size doesn’t matter. And when she misses her daddy, those big-girl pants don’t magically fix everything.
Please don’t tell my daughter to stifle her tears when she feels scared or uncertain. Don’t pinch her leg and joke about her eating habits when she’s still figuring out the world’s expectations of beauty. Don’t suggest she’s too old for something when I encourage her to find the magic around her. And definitely don’t rush her to grow up—trust me, that will happen fast enough, and she’ll always be my little girl.
Kids need the freedom and time to grow, play, and explore. They require love and protection, and I’m committed to providing both for her. I won’t let my daughter miss out on the enchanting world of fairies and dinosaurs, or on evening strolls with us as a family, or the excitement of watching newborn kittens prance about.
She will have late nights and warm cups of hot chocolate while we wait for lunar eclipses, and she’ll relish splashing in puddles just to see the ripples. For years, she’ll wake up to gifts under the tree from “magic” and mysterious eggs hidden in the garden. She will be little, and we’ll cherish every moment of it, especially since many children don’t get that chance.
So, for the benefit of the tall kids on sports teams, and the toddlers still in diapers who seem older, and for those trick-or-treaters who look way too grown up—let’s allow them to be little, even when they don’t seem so small.
For more information on parenting and family dynamics, check out this blog post. And if you’re interested in learning more about home insemination options, Make a Mom is an excellent resource. For those considering IVF, the NHS provides trustworthy information too.
Summary
In a heartfelt plea, Jenna Parker highlights the importance of letting children experience their emotions without judgment. She passionately defends her daughter’s right to express fear and vulnerability, emphasizing the need for love, protection, and the freedom to grow at their own pace. The article encourages adults to resist imposing adult expectations on young children, allowing them to enjoy their childhood fully.