‘Levi has been begging to wear a dress to school. You can see the pure joy on his face. But my heart raced as we took him to school.’: Mom says no one should ever be shamed for being true to themselves

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“Levi has been begging to wear a dress to school for a while now, then yesterday he came home crying because he wanted to wear one so so badly.

He got home, and we let him try on some of his sisters’ dresses and pick which one he loved the most and this is the one he decided to borrow from Braylee. You can see the pure joy on his face and how confident and beautiful he feels.

This morning my heart raced as we took him to school. I heard some parents snicker as we walked by but thank God Levi didn’t notice. He skipped and held my hand, so excited to be in a dress finally. As I left, I couldn’t help but pray and hope that he would have a perfect day. Until I got a phone call.

His principal called and explained that kids on the bus and at school had been making fun of him and he asked to change. My heart absolutely aches for this sweet boy. How are little four-year old’s already so cruel and mean? They bullied and teased another child, my son, for being who he is and being happy. They made him so sad and uncomfortable he asked to change into shorts and a shirt. Levi’s principal explained that they’re totally fine with him choosing to wear a dress, but that if this would be a normal thing, they would have to get the counselor into his class to explain that other kids wear different things. So at least the school staff was understanding.

Once I got to school to pick him up, I immediately asked him how school was and where was his pretty dress. His eyes filled up with tears as he told me it was a bad day, that everyone told him to take off his dress and laughed at him. After holding him and giving him the biggest hug ever, I reassured him he is beautiful and can wear his dress if he wants to. That Daddy and I love him no matter what he wears. Levi promptly asked if I would help him change back into his dress and sure enough, his bright bubbly happy self-came back right away.

It doesn’t matter what you wear.
What you wear.
Who you love.
What you look like.
What your beliefs are.
What your sexuality is.
What job you choose to hold.

None of those things matter. We are who we are, and no one should EVER shame us or one another for being true. We are all so special and loved in so many different ways. I will not be the mother to shame my children. I will ALWAYS fight for them, to allow them to be happy and proud of who they are. Anyone who thinks differently or would be ashamed to be seen with my family for these reasons, don’t need to be in my life nor my friends. I will not allow others to bring me or my family down for being us.

Note:  I understand there are many who will question this and not agree. It’s fine to believe that. It is not, however, okay to shame or openly hate on families and friends who believe that children are allowed to be themselves. In our household we believe that children need a safe place to explore who they are without restrictions. They deserve to learn and grow into open minded and respectful adults. Allowing them to choose their clothing and what they like doesn’t do any harm to themselves nor anyone else.”

Little boy stands smiling wearing pink dress in front of guitars resting against the wall
Caitlin Williams

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Caitlin Williams. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

Read more stories like this:

‘If it makes you happy.’ My son begged to wear a dress. In our house, kids explore who they are, no restrictions.’: Mom embraces ‘atypical’ son, ‘kids deserve to be happy and free’

‘He is 2 years old. He doesn’t get to decide what to wear.’ My son wears dresses. He just wants to feel pretty like his older sisters.’: Mom says ‘we must let our children be who they’re meant to be’

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