I like watching Nya play with kids her age.
I like watching her craft sand castles and “birthday cakes” of mud and hold hands to run faster, together, and just be…a kid.
There’s something to learn from that, I think. In my daughter, I’ve learned that children like each other because they see in each other some of themselves. It’s like, “Hey, there’s a little person like me. Let me go play. Let me say “hi.” Let me smile, because it’s what I want to do, not because it’s politically correct or because I think I should to get something from them.
I love that and wish we all could be like that. I wish in 2012 that we could all just be friends. I wish that we’d wave “hi” to each other at the park and smile, just because we want to. I wish we didn’t have to talk about skin color or race or ethnicity or any of that other stuff that we think makes us different but that really doesn’t make us different, you know?
Hate, I’ve learned in watching children play, is taught. It’s taught by grown ups who hate, sometimes unknowingly, others who they perceive as being different. It’s taught by adults, by parents, by caregivers who don’t want to be friends with others who don’t look, like, sound like them.
It’s taught. I can’t control all that my children learn from the world, but it’s my hope that from me, and through my life’s example, my girls continue to love… all people, no matter their religion, hair texture, hair color, language, nationality, sexuality. No matter what, I want them to live with the love they have now and open hearts to others’ differences. Always.
That’s my hope.
***
Have you taught your children to love today?
About Jessica Jessica (@jessicafhinton)
Jessica F. Hinton is a writer, blogger, and hobbyist photographer living in the DC metropolitan area with her husband and two children. Her writings have appeared in various places on- and off-line, such as The Huffington Post, Babble, BlogHer, The African American Review, Early Mama, Tots 2 Tweens, and Baltimore's Child. She is a senior editor at Baby Gizmo and writes unedited at her other blog, http://shortlittlebits.com.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
You are so right. We have always said “kids are mean”. But they have to learn it somewhere
Exactly! And that’s what’s so sad, but also empowering for parents who choose to be the change and teach their children to love instead.
I so agree with you Jessica! It’s our responsibility to teach love, not hate.
It is! And it’s a very big responsibility.
Amen sister. Amen.
My nephew is on the spectrum for Autisim. He’s still waiting for testing for Aspergers. He is very different but such a beautiful soul. My son loves him. He’ll ask questions like “Why is Brody need help go potty?”…Brody is 9. and other questions…but we have been teaching him that some kids need help and that they are special. It’s really hard to instill that in kids but at the same time, they are always listening and learning. Even if they don’t get it now, they will.
You’re right. They are listening and learning, and that’s humbling and also kind of scary at the same time given the great responsibility that comes out of that, you know? I think the way you and your family are explaining things to your son about your nephew is awesome. He will get it, someday.
I completely agree. We should all be teaching to love, not hate.
this is so important to me – that my kids grow up around diversity and learn that people and differences are beautiful!! it needs to be “taught” intentionally, but also just lived and modeled – the most powerful type of teaching.
I love the lyrics you put up- so perfect for your message. I agree, I agree, I agree
Beautifully written as usual, Jessica. If only all parents can have the similar way of thinking as you then our world would be a much better place. Love the lyric too!
I love coming to your blog. You are so right, its taught. And I dont want to teach them like I was taught. I wasnt taught to hate, but I was taught to ostrasize (sp?) because of sexual orientation. I dont want that for my kids. I want them to know everyone is different, but to treat them the same.
{ 1 trackback }