It’s becoming more frequent these days—people judging my little girl for being in diapers. The assumption that she should grasp the concept of age or follow a command from a stranger to show two fingers is simply unfounded.
I remember an uncle who had to bring his birth certificate to every youth football game and was ultimately asked to leave the league. His brother faced embarrassment at 12 while trick-or-treating, towering over his friends.
My partner has had his share of encounters with the police. Each time he’s pulled over, he warns the officer of his size because, unfortunately, the dynamics between tall Black men and law enforcement can be tense.
So when you, a stranger, tell my daughter that “big girls don’t cry,” I want you to understand—you’re not doing her any favors. Sure, she may appear too old to be upset over a broken crayon at the store, but she is still just a toddler—only two years old.
She still fears the dark and being alone at night. When she hurts herself or feels unwell, all she wants is her mom. Even during her exciting adventures, she sometimes reaches for a hand to hold—for balance, reassurance, and the simple comfort of knowing I’m there to guide her. A bad dream doesn’t care about her shoe size, and when she misses her daddy, her age doesn’t change that need for comfort.
Please don’t tell my daughter to suppress her tears when she feels scared or uncertain. Don’t tease her about her size when she’s still learning that society often places unrealistic expectations on girls’ appearances. Don’t insist she’s too old for something, especially when I encourage her to embrace the magic around her. And definitely don’t rush her to grow up—because that time will come all too quickly, and she will always be my little girl.
Kids need time to grow, play, and explore. They require a balance of boundaries and freedom. They need love, protection, and support, and I am committed to providing both for her.
I won’t let my daughter miss out on the wonders of fairies and dinosaurs or the joy of evening strolls with her parents, nor will I allow her to miss the thrill of newborn kittens. She deserves late nights filled with hot chocolate while we wait for lunar eclipses and the chance to jump into the perfect puddle. For years to come, she will wake up to presents from magic under the Christmas tree and find mysterious eggs in the garden. She’ll be little, and we will cherish every moment because so many children don’t get to experience that.
So, for the sake of the oversized kids on sports teams, the two-year-olds still in diapers who seem older, and the tall trick-or-treaters, let’s allow them to be little—even when they look big.
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In summary, let’s embrace the uniqueness of childhood and provide the nurturing environment our little ones deserve, allowing them to grow at their own pace.