Let’s talk a little bit about parenting! We try to do the best we can raising our children. Then, just when we think we’ve got the parenting terrain all figured out, we suddenly find ourselves in new territory again as each new age and stage presents another set of challenges.
Sometimes we sail through smoothly. Sometimes we encounter tempests and tidal waves. Sometimes we get so tired that we just want to give up—let the storm take us where it will.
Parent to parent, when we see a colleague in trouble, all too often, as well-meaning friends, family members, or even strangers rise up to the challenge.
This is the same incident that happened when the world told Katie Crenshaw they’re praying for her daughter.
Crenshaw wants them to stop. Her daughter, Charlie Crenshaw was born with a capillary hemangioma on her face, which Crenshaw says is the first thing most people notice about her baby.
“I’ve gotten a variety of remarks from family, friends, and strangers. I’ve done some thinking and I want to share our perspective as parents,” Crenshaw states on her blog.
The mother begs those well-intentioned individuals to stop.
“Hold the pity. She’s a healthy baby girl and we are blessed. Her hemangioma is just as insignificant to who she is as a freckle on her arm. You don’t need to mention it, and you don’t need to wish it away,”
But Crenshaw isn’t against prayer entirely. Rather, she wants offered prayers to focus on developing Charlie into a confident woman rather than someone focused on outward beauty.
“I encourage you to, instead of praying it will disappear, pray that she grows into a confident girl who loves herself no matter what she looks like. Pray that constant comments and opinions from friends, family and strangers will end before she’s old enough to overhear them. Pray that she will be a strong person in the in an age where we are bullied for any number of reasons,” Crenshaw says.
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Photo – Katie Crenshaw asks people to stop praying for Charlie’s (pictured) hemangioma to go away. (Courtesy/Katie Crenshaw)
