Earlier this week, I saw a TV documentary with a little boy that was incredibly heartwarming. I have to confess, I have a pretty substantial relationship (bordering on addiction) with reality TV. Recently, I have made more of an attempt to read and get outside, but from time to time, I unwind with an especially dramatic episode of housewives or Teen Mom. "Toddlers and Tiaras" is normally a train wreck I have trouble looking away from. Each episode tends to be pretty standard: an overweight mom and an especially evil little girl, both testing each others limits. The daughter resents the mother- bordering on disdain- and there are always lots of tears, spray tans and money wasted that clearly the family cannot afford to spend on "high glitz" apparel. Last week, I was pleasantly surprised by one of the families that TLC profiled. The child's name is Brock, and he is a seven year old boy who loves dance, pageants and dreams of being on Broadway.
I was most impressed by the way both parents react to their sons atypical interests. I expected his father to chime in at some point during the pageant and say it was time for him to try football or karate, except that never happened. His parents only relayed how proud they were of Brock for being an individual and following his passions. He was a loving, caring and truly charismatic little boy, and I would be so happy to have a child with his individualistic personality someday. I actually learned a lesson in parenting from Toddlers and Tiaras. Surprising, I know.
In other heartwarming news, New York became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage, and slowly but surely, equality is being recognized. I read a touching story in The New York Times, and I'll include a link below:
NY Times article
