Every Parent Needs to Read This Mom's Post On Teaching Kids About Differences
When it comes to parenting, some days are more difficult than others. For one mom of a special needs son, a hard day inspired her to share a powerful message about teaching kids to be kind.
During a recent event at their church, Stacey Gagnon saw a large group of kids point and stare at her son Joel, she wrote on Facebook. He was born with a crania-facial impairment and is missing an ear and some facial bones. Stacey wrote about the traumatic experience and shared it online hoping it will encourage parents to talk to their kids about respecting children with disabilities.
"Today hurt," she wrote on Facebook. "I stood at the door and watched every child look with eyes wide and mouths open at my child." While Stacey typically turns these encounters into teachable moments, on that day she couldn't. Her son had fled to the back of the room, and he buried his head in his arms. Soon after they left, Joel left these sweet message for his mom her her hand. He wrote, "Joel loves Mom."
In the post, Stacey shared some of her best tips for fellow parents. "Show them pictures of people that look different. And then explain that it is not okay to stare at someone that looks different, it's not okay to point," she wrote. She also advised parents to let their kid know that Joel is just like any other child on the inside. He loves Minecraft, Dodge Ram trucks, and playing outside like many other boys.
Stacey and her husband have five more kids including several who are adopted and have disabilities. One of Joel's siblings has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, and another suffered a brain injury and now uses a feeding tube. They're also in the process of adopting a child who has limb differences she shared on her blog, Ransom for Israel.
Since publishing her message last Sunday, her Facebook post has gone viral and racked up more than 16,000 shares. What's more, many parents taken action and started conversations with their children about love and respect. "This is where teaching begins," she told CountryLiving.com. "Our kids don't want to be mean, they just don't know how to react."
Stacey has also touched the hearts of fellow parents of special needs children who have endured similar traumatic experiences. "They, too have walked this path," she says. "I think this can be a catalyst for change and acceptance."
(h/t Huffington Post)
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