Monday, August 4, 2014

A Letter from a "Chubby" 8 Year Old

Dear World,

Could you please stop talking so very much about what people look like & start talking a little bit more about what they are like. Are they kind? Are they considerate? Do they make you laugh? Do they offer a helping hand? Are they very smart? Can they fix a car? A computer? A heart?

My parents are teaching me a lot of things. They're teaching me to say "please" and "thank you." They're teaching me to share and to think about other people before making choices that could possibly hurt someone. The world is teaching me things too. I'm learning that family can mean many different things, not just the ones you're born with. I'm learning that sometimes people can be mean. I'm learning that we cannot always get the things we want. When I say it like that it sounds like the world is pretty mean & my parents are pretty great. Which I guess is kind of true.

But both the world & my parents have something in common. They talk, a lot, about how much people weigh. And I don't really understand.

How does the amount of fat on a person, make them a bad person?

And I'm sure the same goes for other kids who "look" different.

While you're at it, could you also stop saying things about other people's physical difference as well. See I hear you when you judge someone because they're 'too fat for that outfit' or 'too tall for that shirt' or 'too cellulite-ey for that skirt.' (whatever that word means) and it makes me worry.

What about me isn't good enough? It kind of makes me feel like I'm worth less than other children, just because I don't weigh as little as they do. Which isn't a nice feeling.

When you say those things I lock them away. Like a little girl who overheard her father say that no man could ever find an overweight woman attractive, who turned 30 and still wonders if anyone could find her pretty.

Just, as an example.

And I know that when I get older, kids will get meaner, they already tease me. But imagine if their parents did the same thing.. and they never were taught that because I look different from them, they have the right to mean to me? Imagine how awesome that would be?!

Please just remember that my ears are always listening. That I'm always learning. And I'd love to learn that my personality is more important than my pant size.

Thanks in advance, I guess. See you in a few years.

Janice (Age 8)

Oh & just so you know, I am an active kid, I just won the gene lottery. So before you tell me that it's unhealthy, maybe think of a better (kinder) way to say it.