Today on Dear Dish-It’s “Let’s Talk About it Tuesday” we will be answering questions about being different. We will look at how the way people treat us can lead us to believe we are different. We will read about kids and teens struggling to fit in with people their age, and how the comparison of others can have us second guessing ourselves.
Let's Take a Look at This Week's Questions:
Stay true to what makes you unique.
Question by DuncanDonuts
Question: I know everyone is special, but other kids and even some adults treat me differently at school. They talk slowly, like in slow motion, to me like I'm a little kid even though I'm 'ten going on sixteen' as my family puts it. I'm more mature than other kids and don't like the way they talk because they are so loud. They look at me weirdly when I cover my ears and while it doesn't bother me, I wonder why they look at me like that. My parents call it shyness and sensitive hearing, but I think it may be something more, like a mental illness. Why am I so different from other children my age?
Insight/Advice:
What makes you think it is mental illness? What are your symptoms? You need to see a doctor and get properly assessed. I’m sorry that people treat you like that, but even if you are different there is no need for that behavior. Don’t worry if the kids at school don’t get you, it sounds like your family does. Focus on what matters and don’t let anyone influence how you feel or how you act.
What makes you different, makes you beautiful.
Question by Samanthakat
Question: Dear Dish-iI am always being told to grow up I don't act childish it's that am twelve and I still play with my American Girl dolls and I want a new one for Christmas but my mom and sister are always saying to me to grow up well I kinda don't want to grow up I mean yeah sometime am going to have to grow up but just not now. It's really hard when your going thru puberty like I have these mixed emotions all the time when they tell me to grow up. I just go in my room and hug my dolls and cry my eyes out and ... sometimes even cry myself to sleep . Im in sixth grade and all the girls in my class wear make - up and they have boyfriends I don't wanna be that girl who does everything the same as you. I love to be different but it's really hard to let something you love so much and just let it go like trash. My mom even considered to sell them on eBay! I am going thru a hard time and don't know what to do with my life. I love them with all my heart my dolls but i want to make my mom happy too. My mom wants me to interest in something then dolls all the time but I don't want to leave the thing i love the most go away. Growing up is hard and I need a lot of help so it would mean a lot to me (: Thank - you for your consideration.
Insight/Advice:
It’s perfectly okay if you don’t like the same things as the other girls your age. We all grow up at our own times, and you have your whole life to dress up and go after boys. I’m sorry people in your life are pressuring you to change. You shouldn’t have to choose. Have you tried explaining to your mom what the dolls mean to you? Your happiness is important and you need to stand up for that.
There's nothing wrong with standing out.
Question by Bored
Question: I've have gotten a new phone and I thought I'd be happy and busy but I'm not. I'm not always texting or always on my phone like other people do why can't I do that. Why am I so different? Plus I'm always bored all the time.
Insight/Advice:
It's not so much that you are so different, but that everyone is. What happens for one person does not automatically happen for the other. We all have different lives and different outcomes. Remember, a phone doesn’t make us happy, we make ourselves happy. A material item can never bring you real joy.
It's okay to be different.
Afterthoughts
It’s okay to be different. We can be different without labeling ourselves. It’s okay to go against the grain, think about something new or want something unique. What makes you different is what makes you beautiful. Embrace diversity, within others and within yourself. Know it is okay if you don’t fit it, somewhere someone loves you exactly just for you!
Embrace what makes you different.
Helplines & Resources:
- TeenMentalHealth.org
- KidsHealth - A safe, private place for kids & teens who need honest, accurate information and advice about health, emotions, and life.
- Teen Line - A helpline for kids and teens to work through their personal issues and mental health as needed. 1-800-TLC-TEEN or 1-800-852-8336 (Toll-Free US & Canada).
- Mind Infoline – Information on self-harm and a helpline to call in the UK at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463.
- Kids Help Phone – Free, anonymous and bilingual helpline for young people in Canada, available 24/7 by phone, Live Chat, and the Always There chat app for any issue, including self-injury and suicide. Call 1-800-668-6868 or visit kidshelpphone.ca.
- Kids Helpline – A helpline for kids and young adults in Australia to get help with issues including cutting and self-harm. Call 1800 55 1800. (Kids Helpline).
Interested in getting in touch with Dear Dish-It?
Simply email deardish@kidzworld.com with your concern, and we will address you on “Let’s Talk about it Tuesday” if your question is suitable for our topic of conversation. Regardless, keep your eyes peeled as Dear Dish-It it is covering a lot of issues, and you never know when your question or topic of concern will be featured in an article. Please let us know if you would like your handle to be listed as anonymous and list your age in your question if you would like as that can impact advice. To learn the Do's and Don'ts of Dear Dish-It, and to find out what kind of questions are appropriate, check out this article!
Give Us Your Opinion
What makes you different in a good? What makes you different in a bad way? Comment below.
