young k stan acc

This is based on decades of experience as an uncle and as an older brother.

Never forget that children are just as much people as adults are.

Kids 10 years or younger (and sometimes older than that) don’t get sarcasm or irony, so don’t use them.

If a child has difficulty pronouncing a word, don’t copy their misprounciation when speaking to them. They can hear the word just fine. It could sound to them like you’re making fun of them.

(Yes, this means no babytalk)

Don’t be dismissive.

Listen to what they’re saying.

To get on the same eye-level, don’t bend over or squat: it seems condescending. Kneeling or sitting are better.

It should go without saying that you should respect children’s body autonomy. Don’t force affection on them.

Respect children’s emotional autonomy as well. Let them be angry. Let them be sad. Don’t force them to be happy.

Let children like things. Don’t run down the things they like just because you find them cringy.

Don’t think that you know better.

To children, adults are giants. Be a big friendly giant.

Don’t stifle children’s curiosity.

Don’t stifle children’s enthusiasm.

To quote Sondheim, “Be careful the words you say, children will listen.”

I miss our boy, I hope he's okay.♥️

there were actually a lot of self portraits unfortunately (i’ll include them all in this post for ease of access)

its the only time in my life where i felt vent art was Necessary.

On the whole i dont really do vent art because it feels like wallowing in my misery, and making it public seems performative, but in a situation where you and everyone you know is experiencing this pervasive sense of horror, dread, and misery, i really wanted people outside of it all to understand.

though tbh i found that the feedback that was most valuable to me emotionally was from people who were in the same situation i was (or worse ones) because it made me feel less alone