My son was talking really well at age 2.5 and I saw a nursing supervisor I worked with in the grocery store; he was with me. While we were talking my son asked, “Mom, why is she so fat?” It was innocent because he was too young to understand those words can hurt others. I was horrified on the inside though.

I sort of re-directed him and said, “Brian, everyone’s body is different but we should never ask why someone is fat or skinny.” I went on to say, “You should ask her what she does at the hospital, she could tell you some fun stories.”

I think I whispered an apology to her and when we went home we did some role playing trying to help him to understand it’s never appropriate to ask about peoples looks, color, weight etc… it was long ago but I will never forget that.