A mother recently took to Facebook to share a touching experience at Justice clothing store that brought immense joy to her gender non-conforming son. While many parents might have mixed feelings about Justice—overpriced, overly sparkly, and blasting tween tunes—this story shines a light on a moment that made a big difference in a child’s life. Get your tissues ready; it’s a tear-jerker.
Laura Johnson is the proud mother of a 10-year-old son who doesn’t conform to traditional gender norms. She runs a blog called Creative Kiddo, where she discusses the ups and downs of parenting her unique child. Recently, Laura penned an open letter to Justice, detailing the heartwarming experience she and her son had during a visit to the store. The letter quickly gained traction online, and once you see the beaming smile on her son’s face, you’ll understand why.
A Longing to Shop
Laura began her letter by sharing that her son has expressed a desire to shop at Justice since he was just four years old, tagging along with his older sister on her shopping trips. However, they hadn’t visited the store in years, as her daughter had outgrown it, and Laura had been taking her sons to the boys’ department, leaving her son feeling left out. “Shopping for back-to-school clothes was a dreaded chore for him,” Laura admitted.
Every time they passed Justice on their way to Target, her son would gaze longingly at the store, saying, “I wish I could shop there.” But because her son doesn’t identify as a girl, they felt hesitant to enter. The store’s sign saying “Just for girls” kept them from crossing the threshold time and again.
Supporting Their Son
As a family, they’ve been exploring ways to support their son, who might one day identify as LGBTQ+, but they’re open to whatever path he chooses. “All we want is for him to be happy and true to himself,” Laura emphasized.
On March 23rd, Laura planned to take her son to Justice, the day after the controversial HB2 law was enacted in North Carolina. Instead of shopping, she found herself glued to her laptop, concerned about the implications this law might have for her son’s future if he decided to transition.
After a summer of settling for some Twinkle Toes sneakers, Laura mentioned her son’s wish to shop at Justice to a support group she leads for parents of gender non-conforming kids. With the help of a supportive friend named Karen, who visited the store and spoke to the manager, they discovered that Justice would welcome a little boy trying on clothes there.
A Joyful Experience
A generous friend even gifted Laura and her son an e-gift card for Justice, making the trip possible. When they finally arrived, excitement filled the air; the store manager, Steph, greeted them with enthusiasm and took on the role of a personal shopper for Laura’s son.
The evening was a triumph. “Once he tried on that first outfit, he couldn’t stop posing in front of the mirror, twirling around to see the skirt flare out. It was pure joy,” Laura wrote. Her son transformed from a child burdened by uncertainty to one radiating confidence and happiness.
Thanks to Steph’s kindness and support, Laura was able to witness her son embrace his true self—a precious gift she rarely sees in public. “It filled me with hope for the future,” she reflected, leaving the store with bags of new clothes and a smiling child. “His cheeks hurt from all the smiling!”
Kudos to Justice for making this mother and son feel valued and accepted. As a parent, there’s no greater reward than seeing your child blossom.
For more insights on parenting, check out our post on at-home insemination kits.
Summary
A mother shared a viral letter about her joyful experience with her gender non-conforming son at Justice clothing store, highlighting the importance of acceptance and support for children to express their identities.