As I approached the playground with my two children, I noticed a couple of grandparents comfortably settled in their car, engrossed in reading while their grandkids played nearby. Little did I know, a moment of pure curiosity was about to unfold.
When we reached the wood chips, a lively 8-year-old girl dashed from her swing, exuberantly announcing, “That baby is really red!” Her brother joined her, curious about my daughter, Mia, who at just 4 years old, is petite for her age. Before I could even react, Mia, with a spark of defiance, exclaimed, “I’m not a baby!”
To be honest, I wasn’t exactly eager for a teaching moment that day. I had envisioned a peaceful afternoon pushing my kids on the swings. However, I took a deep breath and explained gently that Mia has a skin condition, which is simply how she was born. I introduced my children and pointed to the boy’s shirt featuring the logo of the St. Louis Cardinals, saying, “Oh, do you like the Cardinals? Mia and Jake are fans too!” It was a small detour, but it worked—both kids smiled, momentarily forgetting their initial observations.
Soon enough, the inquisitive girl returned, her curiosity unabated. “Why does her skin peel like that? Why is she so small? Why doesn’t she have much hair?” I answered her questions while also engaging in light conversation about her age, school, and her Girl Scouts experience, which led us to discuss favorite cookies. As the chatter flowed, more kids arrived, and the atmosphere became more relaxed and playful.
Later, as Mia played on some climbing equipment, a new child approached, and the 8-year-old quickly interjected, “That’s how she was born. Isn’t she cute? She looks like a baby, but she’s not!” I couldn’t have been happier that there were no adults around to intervene during the little girl’s inquisitiveness. She not only got her questions answered but also witnessed Mia laughing, playing, and swinging just like any other child.
It was refreshing to allow that natural curiosity to unfold without adult intervention. When we said our goodbyes, I felt a sense of gratitude for the positive experience. It was a chance for both children to learn and grow together—Mia expressed herself with confidence, saying, “I’m not a baby” and “That’s how I was born.”
This interaction highlighted my belief that when we let our children explore differences through kind and respectful dialogue, we foster acceptance and appreciation for everyone’s unique qualities. Difference doesn’t equate to strangeness; rather, it’s just a part of being human. Our amazing creator has crafted each of us into beautiful masterpieces.
A few weeks later, I returned to the same park with my kids and spotted that familiar car. The same little girl greeted us with an enthusiastic, “You came back!!” This time, there were no questions about skin differences—just joyful chatter about the things that 8-year-olds love. She had embraced our differences and accepted Mia as a new friend.
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Summary
Encouraging our children to explore and ask questions about differences promotes understanding and friendship. By allowing natural conversations to happen, we foster acceptance and appreciation for each individual’s uniqueness. These experiences not only benefit our children but also create a more inclusive environment for all.