Knowing that your child is being bullied is hard enough; witnessing it happen before your eyes is a different matter altogether. This is what this English mother experienced herself when her son was ridiculed for being a redhead.
“Whilst travelling on a public bus number 12,” Lauren’s Facebook post began, “I witnessed such cruel behaviour towards my 3-year-old son from a very narrow minded boy who couldn’t be much older than 13. Unfortunately this hasn’t been the first time and I know it won’t be the last.”
READ: 35 ways to teach your child how to love humankind
The older boy said that Noah should be taken by the social security services for having red hair. Then the older boy turned to his friend and said that if he ever had a ginger child he will kill it.
“Now my little boy is only 3 and was left very confused,” she continued. “I feel devastated as I too have ginger hair and [know] all too well what it’s like to grow up being singled out/ the target of such bullies.”
For the longest time, Noah had been asking why people did not like his hair. After all, it’s a pretty shade of orange; what could be wrong with it?
“He asked me if I could change it for him so people will like it. He asked me if he could be like his brother who doesn’t have ginger hair. My little boy looks so sad and I want to make it better. The reason I am trying to go public with this is because I know these cruel bullies are in the minority.”
READ: Say NO to bullying: 8 ways to bully-proof your child
It is the parents’ responsibility to teach their kids humility and understanding in this world full of hatred and discrimination, and in order to do that parents should start early.
Among other things, parents should also teach them about respect, table manners, proper etiquette. Read this article on how you can raise courteous children.
It is never right for anyone to discriminate another person for things they have no control over, whether it’s religion, orientation, and their physical attributes. Whether you have black or ginger hair, brown or blue eyes; whether you’re small or tall, you should embrace what you have and never feel ashamed of it.
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