This mom’s Facebook post about her son wearing nail polish is warming our hearts
This mom’s Facebook post about her son wearing nail polish is warming our hearts
Kids go through all sorts of phases when they’re growing up, but what’s important is that we let them express themselves however they choose so they can learn exactly who they are — and know that there’s nothing wrong with whatever they feel. That’s the philosophy of mom Devon Berryann, who posted a photo of her son Silas to Facebook last week with a touching caption that’s gone viral.
In the wake of the Orlando shooting, where LGBTQ club-goers were specifically targeted, sexuality has been a hot button topic, and Devon wants the world to know that her son should never have to change who he is just because it falls outside of convention.
“My six year old son likes to wear nail polish,” the post begins. “He likes to wear girls’ clothes and tutus. He tells me about the boys he likes at school. He says he will marry them and adopt babies. Maybe he will outgrow it. Maybe not. I love and accept him for who he is.”
Devon then goes on to recount a moment a few days prior to the post when Silas told her that kids from school were teasing him for his nail polish.
“For the first time ever I considered talking him into taking it off. Into hiding that part of himself,” she writes. “Because for the first time ever I was scared that he would be gunned down one night when he was out having a good time with his friends.”
The shooting has weighed heavy on America’s heart, and revealed the harsh truth that, despite the progress made for LGBTQ rights, there are still people who want to stop them from being who they are. Devon continues:
In that moment I was so terrified that I wondered if it would be better to stop appeasing him. Then I remembered all the reasons I let him be who he wants. Because it makes him happy. Because nothing hurts more than seeing your child truly sad. Because pretending to be someone you’re not to please other people only leads to self-loathing. To depression and to suicide. And that too made me afraid. Why do I have to fear for him because of what he likes and who he cares about? Aren’t we past all this yet?
Rather than hide, this tragic event has inspired Devon and Silas to be themselves louder and prouder. They went out and bought more nail polish, as well as a tutu, because that’s who Silas is and that’s what he wants. Devon calls upon us to turn this world into a world that deserves Silas — and we hope it happens soon.
The post This mom’s Facebook post about her son wearing nail polish is warming our hearts appeared first on HelloGiggles.
