There’s no denying, kids are curious creatures.
From questioning why the sky is blue to why the clouds are sometimes the same shape as their dinosaur chicken nuggets, their inquisitive little minds just don’t stop.
They observe the world around them, absorb like a sponge, and then spitfire questions like a loaded bee bee gun. I mean, how else are they supposed to figure out this crazy place we call planet earth? For parents, sometimes it’s a fun little game, other times it’s a little exhausting—and yet others, it is just downright mortifying.
No one could know that feeling better than the mama whose five-year-old shamelessly shouted and pointed out this special needs boy in the middle of Chick-fil-A.
Facebook
But it’s how she handled the situation that has people across the web praising her admirable parenting in the face of humiliation.
The mother of the special needs child, Leah Carroll, recounts the incident in a grateful Facebook post that has now touched the hearts of thousands:
To the mom of three at Chick-Fil-A: I sensed your panic when your five year old son pointed at my son in his wheelchair and shouted ‘Mom look at THAT boy!’ You leaned forward and quietly told him and his three year old brother that we don’t say things like that and they shouldn’t point or stare. But as in most cases, these suggestions are futile with young, curious minds and they continued to stare and loudly ask questions about my son’s differences.
When you realized your whispers weren’t working I saw the panic disappear and you took a deep breath and took a step of courage. You brought your boys over to Malachi and said ‘I bet he would like to know your names!’ As they said their names my little Malachi started grinning from ear to ear and jabbering back to them.
The joy on his face brought tears to my eyes- he loves kids his age but so many are fearful to come and speak to him.
Your boys continued to ask questions about his foot braces, his wheelchair, why his legs don’t work, why he holds his mouth open like that. You took the time to educate your sons in that moment and help them understand that different is okay. Different is not something to fear. And that it was okay to ask questions!
Thank you for giving my son a chance to meet your kids. Thank you for being the type of mom who educates your children instead of frantically trying to silence them. Special needs moms have to develop tough skin- we get used to stares, comments, and whispers. Please know it takes a lot to offend us, particularly when the comments are coming from young children. Give your kids the same grace we give them and use the opportunity to teach them about differences.
So Chick-Fil-A mom, thank you for raising your children to embrace children like Malachi. And thank you for giving my son something to smile about.
Though not always at the best times, our children ask questions for a reason. They desire to learn.
When they recognize someone “different,” how will they ever know WHY they’re different and how that makes them so very special unless we bite the bullet of embarrassment by stopping the “shushing” and starting a conversation instead?
Kudos to this sweet, brave mama for doing just that. 💛
