End the word

A lot of kids are being sent off to school today. New backpacks, shoes, the oh so important first day of school outfit. Something that is just as important as that is to teach our children to be kind. Please if you are still reading..teach your kids it's not ok to use the word retarded. If they see someone being picked on because they are slow, or they stutter, they walk funny, anything. Teach them to be brave and extraordinary and stick up for that kid. Be their friend.  Be their best friend.  What does picking on another child do for you? Does it make you strong? Cool? The popular kid? No it does none of these. 

What it does do is hurt the child that you are making fun of. It hurts their family when they come home crying. It's a hurt that can't be fixed with a band-aid or medicine. What can fix it? Love, tolerance, patience. 

My 2 1/2 year old can't walk on her own quite yet. She can do it great if she is holding on to someone's hand or holding something. Lately when I pick her up from daycare she wants to walk out to the car instead of being carried. This takes a long time. We stop at every mirror, fish tank, wave at every person on the way out. We hold up traffic. But the look of pride on her face makes it all worth it.    

This is that beautiful face...