I love when I can use books to help explain something that might otherwise be a difficult parenting conversation. It can be tough to explain differences to children, but with the help of Different is Awesome by Ryan Haack, I think we have a good handle on most of these little conversations. For example, we were picking out flowers at the local nursery this summer and there was a woman who had pink hair. Tucker pointed to the woman and said, “mommy her hair is pink!” As you all know, it can be somewhat embarrassing when your child points and asks a question about something that seems “different” to them, no matter how innocent the observation may be. However, because of Different is Awesome; I think we have come up with an amazing response. This is how the conversation went…

Tucker – “Mommy, look her hair is pink!”

Me – “Yes, it is buddy. That’s different, isn’t it? And what is different?”

Tucker – “Different is awesome!”

Me – “That’s right, different is awesome. She has pink hair and that is different from your brown hair, but it’s awesome.”

I know there will be situations where the statement “different is awesome” won’t always work, but for now, I find it helpful.

The story, Different is Awesome, is about a little boy who brings his big brother to show and tell. His brother was born without a hand. The book has the students’ ask questions about whether he can do certain activities that someone with both hands can do. He explains he can do these activities, but just does them a little bit differently. The book ends by pointing out some of the differences between all the students (short, tall, freckles, dark hair etc.) and helping them realize that even though they are all different from each other it is okay because “different is awesome.” It would be quite boring if everyone were the same. I absolutely love the message from this book!

We were gifted this book by my sister-in-law when Tucker was born. Our niece was born without a hand and from early on we wanted our kids to realize that it is okay to be different, to be comfortable with others’ differences. That differences shouldn’t be something to be afraid of or worried about. That differences are, in fact, awesome and should be celebrated. I don’t know about you, but I want my kids to be their true selves and celebrate what makes them different. Maybe if we had these conversations about differences earlier on and didn’t shy away from the moments that make us as adults uncomfortable, differences wouldn’t be pointed out in such negative ways. Maybe there would be less bullying and more kindness.

I have listed some positive affirmations you could say out loud together after you read the book. I have also shared an amazon link below to purchase the book, Different is Awesome. Let’s celebrate our differences and enjoy each other as we move forward into 2023!

-I celebrate what makes everyone different.

-Everyone is different and that is awesome.

-I am proud of myself and what makes me different.

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