I spotted the grandparents in their vehicle before I even met their granddaughter. They seemed relaxed, engrossed in their reading, while a few of their grandkids enjoyed the nearby playground.
As we made our way along the path to the wood chips, I noticed a little girl who later introduced herself as Mia, 8 years old. She leaped off her swing, ran towards us, and exclaimed, “That baby is really red!” Her brother quickly joined her, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at my son Jake’s response. Though just four and on the smaller side, he assertively declared, “I’m not a baby!”
Honestly, I wasn’t looking to engage in a teaching moment at the park; I merely wanted to enjoy some quality time pushing my kids on the swings. However, I took a moment to explain that my daughter has a skin condition, which is simply part of who she is. I introduced both of my kids and pointed at Mia’s brother’s shirt featuring the logo of a local sports team. “Oh, do you like the Cardinals? Jake and Brenna are fans too!” Their smiles shifted the focus away from Brenna’s skin.
Before long, Mia returned to the swings, her curiosity bubbling over. “Why does her skin peel like that?” “Why is she so small? She looks younger than 4!” “Why doesn’t she have much hair?” I answered each question, weaving in light-hearted conversation about Mia’s age, school, and her involvement in Girl Scouts, which led us to a discussion about favorite cookies. As more children arrived, the inquiries gradually faded, replaced by the usual playground chatter.
Later, while on some climbing apparatus, a new child entered the scene. Mia quickly chimed in, “That’s how she was born. Isn’t she cute? She looks like a baby, but she’s not!” Initially, I might have preferred a peaceful outing without a barrage of questions, but as we said our goodbyes, I felt grateful that there hadn’t been an adult to whisk Mia away at the first inquiry.
Not only did Mia receive answers in a positive manner, but she also engaged in meaningful conversation with my daughter. She learned that Brenna enjoys Peanut Butter Patties, laughs, plays, and swings just like any other kid. Mia discovered Brenna’s favorite character is Minnie Mouse, and that they share common experiences, like having brothers.
Brenna, too, benefitted from this interaction, confidently asserting, “I’m not a baby,” and “That’s how I was born.” This encounter allowed her to foster connection rather than feeling sidelined, which is often the case when potential friendships are interrupted by adult interference.
It was refreshing to experience such curiosity without adult intervention. By the end, I was hopeful that the interaction had been beneficial for both my children and the other kids. I firmly believe that when we encourage our children to learn about one another through respectful dialogue and an open mindset, we nurture acceptance and appreciation for our differences. Differences don’t have to signify something unusual; they are simply a part of our shared humanity. Our amazing creator has fashioned each of us into unique masterpieces.
A few weeks later, I returned to that same park with my kids and spotted the same vehicle in the lot. To my delight, Mia greeted us with a beaming smile. “You came back!” she exclaimed joyfully. This time, there were no questions about skin; we engaged in playful banter typical of 8-year-olds. She had learned and accepted—our differences no longer mattered. We had simply become friends.
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In summary, allowing children to explore and ask questions about differences fosters understanding, acceptance, and friendship. It empowers them to embrace diversity and appreciate each other’s uniqueness. This kind of open dialogue not only enriches their lives but also creates connections that transcend appearances.