Friday, May 20, 2011

I'm Scared of Children, It's True

Andy and I took Elijah for a walk in the stroller the other night. We'd just finished discussing how Eli is getting too big for his stroller and considered going back to get his wagon when we noticed two little girls up ahead in their yard, watching us persistently.

I have to admit that little kids make me somewhat nervous. It's not that I'm scared of kids, per se, but I get nervous about the questions they might ask. It seemed they were watching Elijah and so I figured they wanted to see the "baby" in the stroller. I started to prepare myself for the questions they would ask about our son. Why doesn't he talk? What's wrong with him? Why do you let him ride in that stroller when he's so big? Why is he drooling? I was getting nervous, thinking about the answers I would have to formulate on the spot. Answers, that I want to be positive and perfect, answers that will help the next generation accept our son.

As we approached, the little girls started walking towards us into the road. I stopped and they stared at us.

"Hi!" I said enthusiastically.

They stared.

"Did you want to say hi?" I asked, thinking they wanted to talk to Elijah, but were being shy as they stood back a few feet with their eyes big and plans in their eyes.

"I'm up to no good," the littler one said and my flight instincts kicked in a bit, ready to protect our son.

"Oh, really?" I stated calmly and they continued to stare some more.

"She's got a taser in her pocket," the older one said and I got even more nervous. What kind of neighborhood do we live in exactly?!

"She got it at the dollar store," she continued and I realized that I didn't need to be scared of little girls - for any reason.

"Well, it's a good thing you warned me then," I said as we walked away.

Oh, kids of the world. You're both amazing and wonderful and terrifying on so many levels. I don't care about your taser, just be nice to my kid and we can be friends, okay?

3 comments:

Erin said...

*sigh* The heart can hurt so much being a mom of a special needs kiddo, can't it? Your post kind of gave me a lump in my throat. I know that stress and wish I could give you a big hug!

I will say when kids have asked questions I have realized the don't mean to be mean - they honestly don't have a filter of, "does this question come across as hurtful?" They just ask. SO, I carefully explain that Ethan has something called autism and that makes him do things just a little differently than they do, but that he is super friendly and loves smiles.

The kind of kid I always want to punch is the one that sees Ethan do something "odd" and then snicker and turn to a friend and point and ask, "Did you see what he just did!?" It makes my blood boil not just for my son, but for any kid who has ever been picked on.

Love you guys! I want us to live closer! (said in my best whiny voice).

Kathy said...

Yeah...kids can be scary. The questions you can handle but the kids who haven't been taught to be kind or have learned somehow to be cruel are the ones to be leary of. You are a good mother, Lisa!! Love you, Mumsie.

Jenna said...

Hi ELijah
My name is Jenna and I came across your site. U are a courageous, strong and determined fighter. U are a Brave Warrior, Smilen Champ and an inspirational Hero. I was born with a rare life threatening disease.
www.miraclechamp.webs.com I love it when people sign my guestbook and visit my site. i was born with a rare life threatening disease.
www.miraclechamp.webs.com

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