Okay, I’m going to start this post by saying how much I love Zara, and Alani’s relationship. They were born friends lol. Zara has been to just about every mommy meetup, and at the end of the meet up these two never want to part from each other, even though there’s usually some kind of fuss in the middle of playtime, because one doesn’t want to share. They always request more time, and play dates at ones house, which we HAVE to make happen rather sooner than later.
Zara has recently has been diagnosed with segmental vitiligo (Check out her new instagram to follow her story here). Alani has seen Zara on several occasions since her diagnosis, and has never seemed to be curious about it. However, during our most recent Mommy Meet up, Zara and Alani were casually hanging out making their puppets for their parade, and Alani points to Zara’s face, and asks her what’s that on your face. “Oh, Shit” were my exact thoughts, had she hurt Zara feelings? think quick, and respond!! but what do I say? were all running through my head in the 1 second she asked that question. I was really stuck and I just started saying the 1st thing that came to my mind. “Well Lala, everyone is different, so everyone has different skin, and some peoples skin looks like Zara’s and some like yours, some people have things on their bodies that others don’t” and then Zara’s mom Widza chimed in, and said “yes Zara is unique”, and “I said yes everyone is unique; do you see the scar that you have on your forehead from when you had stitches, look at Zara’s head she doesn’t have that, everyone is unique” and I continued to say “so can you say unique LaLa, can you say unique Zara” (they both did), I said “Lala say I’m unique, Zara is unique, but we’re all beautiful”, and she repeated it, then Zara repeated the same, then when I seen Zara smile I knew that Widza have accomplished what I like to call “A teachable moment”.
I have a lot of teachable moments in this life of motherhood, and a lot of times we are caught so off guard and have to think quick, like the one I explained above. This was a teachable moment for both me and the kids, it taught me that I should make a conscious effort to teach Alani about differences, whether that be someone with glasses, hearing aid, wheelchair, someone with different likes, etc. It also taught Alani and Zara about uniqueness.
Widza I love You, and I’m happy we were able to tag team this situation in .5 seconds. I love how strong you’re raising Zara, and I love how you have her chant beautiful affirmations such as “I’m beautiful, I’m a queen, I’m smart etc” (Check out her Instagram for that).
I pray that when the caregivers aren’t around children are understanding and sensitive of their peers differences, and I pray that the children who are considered “different” are confident and strong, and knows how to handle a situation on their own when someone shows inquisition, because we’re not always going to be there.
I think I should do teachable moments posts more often, they can probably helpful for us all. What teachable moments have you all experienced.
