This is my approach as well in such situations. Kids tend to be curious and concerned about such physical issues, something handicapped people are used to handle.
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Odd situation - how would you have handled this?
- Thread starter Relic
- Start date
One of my family members has a major disability.
Kids being curious is an everyday thing. For a person who's a mom, I bet she has age-appropriate responses for anything a kid could ask.
Parents being uncomfortable are run of the mill, too. It's very natural to feel uncomfortable if you're not used to it. Your kids will implicitly notice that you're uncomfortable and what you do when you feel uncomfortable.
I guess what I'm thinking is -- there's almost no way you can hurt the feelings of an adult with a disability, because they've really heard every possible thing already over the years. A kid with a disability might be a different story.
Your kid won't learn to notice or not notice people who are different. It's built in to humans that they're gonna notice.
What you kid learns is what to do when he/she feels uncomfortable. Avoid or work thru it?
Kids being curious is an everyday thing. For a person who's a mom, I bet she has age-appropriate responses for anything a kid could ask.
Parents being uncomfortable are run of the mill, too. It's very natural to feel uncomfortable if you're not used to it. Your kids will implicitly notice that you're uncomfortable and what you do when you feel uncomfortable.
I guess what I'm thinking is -- there's almost no way you can hurt the feelings of an adult with a disability, because they've really heard every possible thing already over the years. A kid with a disability might be a different story.
Your kid won't learn to notice or not notice people who are different. It's built in to humans that they're gonna notice.
What you kid learns is what to do when he/she feels uncomfortable. Avoid or work thru it?
And you know what? As I was walking away with my son, I was thinking that if she's comfortable enough to go to a highly public place such as a playground full of kids and parents, then she MUST be understanding that kids and parents may feel uncomfortable and awkward, otherwise why would she even go? She's a MOM, she has to be understanding about the general public otherwise her little girl is doomed to be locked away, right?
My kids asked me all sorts of awkward things at awkwards times. How would I have handled it? I would've stayed enjoyed the day; if my son or daughter had eventually asked me, "why doesn't that lady have any legs," I probably would've answered, "I don't know -- does it matter?" Somehow they turned out more well-adjusted and productive than I ever was at their age.
You see the problem is you are taking you kids outside.
Don't you know they are supposed to stay inside, and covered in bubblewrap?
Don't you know they are supposed to stay inside, and covered in bubblewrap?
You see the problem is you are taking you kids outside.
Don't you know they are supposed to stay inside, and covered in bubblewrap?
And only speak to others through usage of the internetz. What, is this 1995 or something?
Same here, but I think I may have worked it out:
I am generally good with people, but I prefer my own company (so to speak). This more than likely stems from my childhood, when I lived in the countryside away from most of the people I was at achool with, and spent my time reading/drawing/playing football etc. Due to this young "studying" I have always been more academically inclined than my peer group, and I've kinda taken a different path to 80% of the guys I know. Due to this, I sometimes see myself as "superior" to a lot of people. Selfish, I know, but I think it may go some way to explaining my (relatively) small and like-minded social group.
On talking to her: Would you have gone up and talked to her if she wasn't disabled. If yes, go. If not, don't.
I was in a coffee shop this afternoon near the start of The Peachtree Road Race. The race is s big one for wheelchair athletes. I walk into this shop waiting for a young lady and see this hot chick, and I notice the wheelchair. She was talking on her phone and I really had nothing to say, so I didn't. Then I saw another hot chick right around the corner. She was in a wheelchair as well. When she rolled out, a guy I could not see at first rolled with her. They were laughing, flirting and carrying on. It was very cute. (She had some sexy shoulders!) Wow, they are just like other people! Later the young lady and I where at the mall and they came rolling down the main area. A very cute couple having a nice day. I wanted to ask them if they raced, but there really wasn't an opportunity.
I used to work weekends with a midget- how he described himself. One day my step-daughter is in the shop and right behind his back asks "Why is he so small" while holding her hands about a Barbie's height apart. He heard and turned around. All I could think was "That is how God made him." I then introduced the two. She never mentioned it again. You do what you can do. If there is no malice in your heart, most people are very forgiving.
I was in a coffee shop this afternoon near the start of The Peachtree Road Race. The race is s big one for wheelchair athletes. I walk into this shop waiting for a young lady and see this hot chick, and I notice the wheelchair. She was talking on her phone and I really had nothing to say, so I didn't. Then I saw another hot chick right around the corner. She was in a wheelchair as well. When she rolled out, a guy I could not see at first rolled with her. They were laughing, flirting and carrying on. It was very cute. (She had some sexy shoulders!) Wow, they are just like other people! Later the young lady and I where at the mall and they came rolling down the main area. A very cute couple having a nice day. I wanted to ask them if they raced, but there really wasn't an opportunity.
I used to work weekends with a midget- how he described himself. One day my step-daughter is in the shop and right behind his back asks "Why is he so small" while holding her hands about a Barbie's height apart. He heard and turned around. All I could think was "That is how God made him." I then introduced the two. She never mentioned it again. You do what you can do. If there is no malice in your heart, most people are very forgiving.
