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Maxi Pad's avatar

You know when I was your age, I didn’t have a good mommy like you

I never heard the word. I love you my whole life for my mommy.

So I made it my personal promise to find something good about everybody I meet. Because they may not have had anybody tell them that they were loved or that they looked very cool

And I’m glad that you are my sister and doing that

🫶🇺🇸

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

That’s beautiful, Dana. We are glad to have you as part of our Substack family.

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Maxi Pad's avatar

Jeannie, I was thinking about that and I’m wondering if your daughter has just experienced her first autistic kid who was just really trying to be social.. I realize that I always got in trouble for saying things like this and I never understood why.. So this actually may be an opportunity for an autistic kid and your child to be friends

It’s hard to tell an autistic kid saying something completely innocent from something that may be thought of is bullying or harmful to another child

It may take time Jeannie.. But that child might not be a bully, but just simply a child reaching out to be friendly to your daughter, and this was their way of doing it

Please keep me in the loop on this one Jeannie.🥰🥰

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

That very well may have been, Dana. Good point. The boy was also young, so I took that into consideration. They were in kindergarten when this happened, so I noticed that kids this age often blurt out things that they have no filter for, because their social filter has not developed yet.

However, based on what you shared here, I’m going to tuck that in the back of my mind so that when we are out in public in the future I might react a bit softer to the older kids and adults who, in my view, are inappropriately staring at Sarah. I can consider that they may be autistic. Thank you!

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Maxi Pad's avatar

Yup 🥰

It’s hard to watch our children grow up and have to navigate the world

I’m so glad that your daughter has you

And I’m glad I have you too

🥰🥰

I hope the little person who said this becomes best friends with Sarah.. Wouldn’t that be so cool?

Maybe they can paint their tiny fingernails TOGETHER 🥰😂🥰😂🥰.

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

That might happen one day, Dana. It just might. :)

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Maxi Pad's avatar

When we move to Washington from Hawaii, my son was only in the fourth grade. He was eight years old and he came home crying because two black kids stole his basketball.

We talked about I said are they new and he said yes and I said remember when you were new and how you hated it and it wasn’t fair because you loved your old school system and nobody asked you and you had to go to the school And Shane said yes Imagine how these two boys feel they’re forced into a white school and they don’t have their friends And everybody’s staring at them because they’re skin is different

Remember how you felt

And he said yes

So I said go out and beat the shit out of them . Take your bB ball back and we’re gonna end up going to see the principal and the principal is gonna yell at us and that’s gonna be OK. I promise you those two boys are gonna be your best friends forever

And that’s exactly what happened😂😂🥰

They’ve been friends now for 35 years. They still play basketball. They still knock each other down and beat the hell out of each 😂😂

.. I also use the technique when kids were fighting when I was babysitting them and I put one in one corner and I put the other in the other corner and I’d say I don’t want either one of you to talk to each other

I don’t want you to smile giggle

And I’d leave

And then I’d hear him giggle and then I come in and I said what did I just tell you

And then they’d stop

Within about five minutes, they were giggling and laughing and being best friends again

😂😂

Sometimes it’s just best to just think like a child and child think them😂😂🥰😂

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Maxi Pad's avatar

Yes, it may. It may happen that you have one of those slumber parties where the cops are called when she is older 😂🥰😂🥰😂

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Stephanie Carlson's avatar

My oldest daughter really liked the movie Wonder and I think Sarah is going to rock 6th grade! ❤️

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

I think you’re right, Stephanie! Thanks for being such a great cheerleader for Sarah!

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Dan Blank's avatar

These conversations are incredibly powerful. Thank you both!

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

It means a lot that you stop to watch, Dan, and that you are touched by our interactions. Thanks for that!

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Nancy Stordahl's avatar

Hi Sarah,

Thank you for reminding us how important kindness is. I appreciate you.

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

We appreciate you, too, Nancy. XO

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Michele's avatar

Thank you, Sarah, and Jeannie for your discussion today. Sarah, I agree with your friends here on Substack. You will rock Sixth grade! You are so beautiful, smart, and wise! I really appreciate you and your kind words and voice. You are amazing! Enjoy your summer! I will always remember to be kind now to everyone I meet. I loved your suggestions. Hugs!

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thanks, Michele. Sarah is always so uplifted by the support here.

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Ed Burwitz's avatar

I love how you encourage Sarah to give voice to her feelings

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thanks, Ed. We do have a special dynamic. :)

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Nancy A's avatar

Thanks for reminding us of great simple ways to be kind to each other! It’s so important! ❤️

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thanks, Nancy!

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Kati Reijonen's avatar

Ugh - some people always find a reason to bully others and be mean. I do not know why. Maybe they are hurting themselves. Stay brave Sarah and keep sharing kindness ❤️

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

I think someone wrote #SarahStrong, Kati. Your comment reminds me of this!

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Kati Reijonen's avatar

😍 Although I think kids should be allowed to be kids and not be strong...It is so wrong that Sarah (and you!) have to deal with this BS. You are doing God´s work by educating people here, so a big thank you to you, Jeannie ❤️ And hugs to your brave little girl, who I hope will have a really great summer!

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thanks, Kati.

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michael holt's avatar

❤️😥❤️

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Donna Kaiser's avatar

#sarahstrong

You are lucky to have such a loving & supportive family!

I think the book WONDER should be mandatory reading for middle school students & maybe younger AND maybe older❣️❣️❣️❣️

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

I agree! If it were required reading in elementary school, maybe the kids would grow up with more empathy.

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

My “Daily Sarah!” This one, a “Brave Sarah” edition. It’s not easy sharing something from our past that hurt our feelings, or sharing things about ourselves that are different—but sharings like this help other people who need the examples from strong and brave others who had those hurtful things happen to them, but came through it braver, stronger, and more compassionate towards others. THAT’s your superpower Sarah!!!

🙏🏼

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thank you, Kert. We are so happy you are with us!

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Stephanie Raffelock's avatar

Sarah, I learn so much from you! You are a light in this world. Keep practicing kindness and I will too. Sign me, your friend and your fan,

~stephanie

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Glad to have you here with us, Stephanie!

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Stephanie Raffelock's avatar

I'm happy to be with you guys. Thank you for welcoming me.

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CathyAnn's avatar

Sarah, I really appreciate that you share your stories with us. It helps me so much to remember to be kind, especially when I am feeling tired or impatient or frustrated. You are the best!

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Love that, CathyAnn! Sarah is so good at coming up with simple ways we can be kind to each other. :)

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ANNIE's avatar

Raising a beautiful articulate soul Mom!! Love how you love her and in turn she is learning to love exactly who she is and others too. God bless you darling Sarah❤️❤️

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thanks, Annie. I didn’t realize how much that love showed in these videos. So glad.

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June Gayle Deaton's avatar

I like to smile and say hi to people! I think most kids get nervous about changing classes in a new school. Try not to worry too much about that. Enjoy your summer for now!

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thanks, June.

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Janet M.'s avatar

Sarah you are teaching us so much about how to be kind and thoughtful to everyone - I know it’s hard to experience things like this, but sharing them helps all of us to be more aware and thoughtful - thank you!

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

So glad to hear that, Janet!

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