The words out of my two-year-old son’s mouth. To which all the other moms in the room turned to see how I was going to handle this “situation”. I could tell some were annoyed with the statement my child made, however there is a reason my child said what he did.
For two and a half years I have preached to Atticus that we should love everyone regardless of their background or the color of their skin. He has been taught that just because someone looks different than us or talks different, does not mean we should treat them any different. I know I know; I am a bad mom for teaching my child this…. I get it. I am horrible for wanting my child to love without walls or stereotypes. But here is a little insight, I will continue to be a “bad mom” if it means my child does not leave someone out or chooses to be friends with kids who look different than he does.
Sam quickly became one of Atticus’ favorite friends. We talk about him quite a bit. Atticus tells me he wishes he could see him more and that Sam is the best. I have learned living life through a two-year old’s eyes is one of the purest ways to live life. There is no hate or bitterness in his sweet little heart. The love he has for everyone he meets makes me so proud to be his mom.
The world we live in is full of hate and stereotypes. We are all held to certain standards of who we can and cannot be friends with or associate with. Why? When did we become so judgmental? Now I will be the first to say I have been guilty of being judgmental from time to time. I am human but teaching my children not to be this way has made my perspective of others and life change drastically.
Changing the way, I view life and others has been a constant lesson. Instead of letting society decide how I raise my kids or the way my children act, I have decided to be the example of how I want my children to act. I am giving daily reminders of how one person can be the change in any situation. Children learn more from what we do than what we say, so we should use this to our advantage.
So to the moms who were “disappointed” by the way my child addressed Sam… this one is for you.
“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” — Billy Graham, Evangelist
Lacie 