March is National Disabilities Awareness Month
And as a parent....
This is something that really resonates with me.
Raising kids is tough enough but, we all want the same things.....for our children to feel happy, included, confident and surrounded by good friends. We want them to be kind. We want them to stand up for what’s right. And we want them to treat others the way they’d hope to be treated.
National Disabilities Awareness Month is such a good reminder that inclusion doesn’t just happen on its own. It starts with what our kids see and hear from us.
Kids with disabilities want the exact same things our kids want. They want to be invited to the birthday party. They want a partner during group work. They want to laugh at recess and be part of the game. They want to feel like they belong, because they do.
Sometimes differences are obvious. Sometimes they aren’t. And that’s an important conversation to have at home. Not every disability is something you can see. Some kids may have learning challenges, autism, ADHD, anxiety or medical conditions that aren’t visible at all. Just because we can’t see a struggle doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
I always tell my kids this: "Don’t be the one who makes life harder for someone. Be the one who makes it easier....Happier.
Make someone smile today!"
*My son suffered all throughout school due to his disability. Kids can be so mean and unempathetic. So judgmental. Where do they get that from? Imagine it was your child with the disability..... Being broken, excluded and mocked constantly. It broke my heart; it would break yours too!
So, what do we do? Teach them to be the better person!
~~Break the cycle one kid at a time.~~
What can we tell our kids to do?
If you see someone sitting alone, sit with them.
If someone is being left out, make room....invite them in.
If someone is being mocked, don’t laugh .....or better yet, say something....stand up for them.
If you see someone being excluded, be their friend.
It doesn’t take much to include someone. But it can mean everything to the child on the receiving end.
And let’s be honest, kids are curious. They notice differences. That’s normal. What matters is how we guide those moments. Do we teach them to stare and whisper? Or do we teach them to ask kind questions and lead with empathy?
None of us are perfect. Every single one of us has strengths and challenges. Some are just easier to see than others. When we remind our kids of that, it builds humility and compassion.
Imagine if every child walked into school knowing they didn’t have to hide who they are. Imagine if no child felt isolated because of something that makes them different. That starts with the small daily lessons we teach at home.
This month, let’s make kindness and inclusion intentional. Let’s talk openly about disabilities. Let’s remind our kids that inclusion isn’t about being “nice” once in a while; it’s about how we treat people every single day.
Because at the end of the day, every child deserves friendship. Every child deserves laughter. Every child deserves to feel included.
And that’s something we can teach. 💛
From a mom with a son who struggles with a disability.
