Mind Your Own Business

Recently, someone asked me if I was worried about my five year old being so small.  Not sure where the conversation was going I answered, honestly, "No.  At one point there was a hiccup but he has been increasing in percentile ever since, so we haven't worried."  But the conversation didn't stop there.  The person continued by saying that they would be worried if they had such a small kid and they would go to the doctor and get the child shots.  The person wasn't laughing so I wasn't sure if they were joking or not.  And I have definitely mulled it over in my head ever since then.  Have I ever said anything like that to anyone?  I don't think so, I hope not.  I know I have never told anyone their child is overweight, but have I ever said anything about them being underweight or under height?  And why would this person say that to me?

Anyone that knows me knows that my children are my pride and joy, especially my five year old (don't tell the other two!)  I don't have a favorite, but he and I, for a lot of reasons that may or may not ever be discussed in another blog, have a very special bond.  You don't mess with my children, and you certainly don't mess with him.  My five year old is a very special kid.  He is funny, smart, and caring.  He has a heart as big as Texas and can make you laugh just hearing him laugh.  So, yes, he is a little below average with his height, but not alarmingly  so.  Are we that shallow of a society that we would judge someone because they were a little shorter than the average?  Should I worry about my child not having a normal life because he is short?  Or, do people say things to mask the problems that they are having in their own lives?  Is it the belief that if I concentrate on someone else's "problems," then I don't have to worry about my own?

I'm here to tell you, I have been very upset over this exchange.  Partly because I don't want anyone looking at my son as less than perfect, but more importantly, I think that people need to stop trying to create a problem for someone else just so they don't have to deal with their own. 

And children are special and unique, each in their own way.  Love them for who they are and what they offer.  If you look past their physical attributes, you will see all of the special gifts they were given.  Just love them.  You don't have to give them shots to make  them bigger or taller.  They are perfect just the way they are.

Mind your own business.  And take care of your own business, because I am taking care of mine.