I was standing behind a couple at Target when their toddler started crying because he wanted a toy.
The dad immediately said,
"Stop crying. Boys don't cry."
Before the little boy could answer, his mom quietly picked him up.
Then she looked at her husband and said,
"No."
"He can cry."
"What he can't do is hurt people because nobody ever taught him what to do with those feelings."
The dad laughed like she was overreacting.
She didn't.
She just said,
"I'd rather raise a boy who cries than a man who thinks anger is the only emotion he's allowed to have."
The checkout line went completely silent.
I don't know if the dad changed his mind.
But I haven't forgotten what she said.
Because maybe the problem isn't that boys cry.
Maybe it's that too many are taught to stop before anyone teaches them how to cope.
Stop assuming people have extra money to lend or give just because they own nice things. There are bills, debt, savings, and planning behind all of this.
Put your children first.
Donโt miss their doctorโs appointments.
Feed them well.
Read to them.
Pack their school bags with everything they need.
Dress them neatly.
Take care of their hair.
Moisturize their skin.
Bathe them properly.
Clean their ears.
Brush their teeth.
Letโs be better parents to our children.