You be you!

There are those times as a parent that you think an ordinary day is going to be an ordinary day and then an ordinary day turns into a teaching moment. Two days ago we had one of those days. 

Sunday late afternoon Mae asked if she could get a "spa treatment" and paint her nails and use the hair color pens. To which I was more then happy to do and set up a little foot soak and nail painting station in the bathroom. At a little before bed, Whitaker realized that Mae got her nails painted and wanted his done as well. To which I was happy to do also. I know some parents might freak about their boys wanting their nails painted but I refuse to make a big deal out of it right now. He thinks it is pretty and I want to raise a son who thinks that things are pretty and to appreciate beauty. Since we have both a boy and a girl we try to discuss that there are no limits to what boys and girls can do and that we can all do the same things if we want. I want my children to know that gender is not an impediment for being or doing anything. And that goes for both of them.  (Well obviously men can't have babies). However, as much as I don't want there to be gender barriers or stigmas, there are. I get it. Note: this isn't going to be a post about breaking those down. Back to the story….

So we are in Mae's room and I am painting Whitaker nails and Mae comes up and looks at his nails and says: 

Mae: Whitaker you know people are going to make fun of you for having your nails painted since boys don't paint their nails. 

Whitaker: I don't care. 

Me: Whitaker, I am glad to hear that but Mae is probably right, you might get teased, which is not acceptable but I want you to be aware that someone might say something not nice to you about it. 

Whitaker: I still don't care. 

Me: Ok. But this is also a good lesson that if you do get made fun of, you remember how you felt so that you make sure you never make fun of anyone for what they look like/say/do. Got it. 

Mae [out of the blue]: You step up so others don't get step on. 

Me: YES!! Mae that is a great saying and yes that is what this is all about. Where did you hear it? 

Mae: It is on the bulletin board outside of the lunchroom. 

The conversation continued as the kids went back and forth to the bathroom about being a good friend to EVERYONE, bullying and standing up for others that might not be able to stand up for themselves. The kids went to bed and I was so proud of Mae for understanding and knowing the concept of standing up for others and for Whitaker for deciding to be his own person regardless of what others might say, which takes a lot of strength. 

The next day Whitaker woke up and also wanted hair paint like Mae and guess what….I let him. You be you buddy!