Little Fingers Are Pulling Triggers

There aren't many gifts in life that could even come close to the gift of being a parent. Actually, I don't believe there could ever be an experience that could possibly be as beautiful as bringing life into this world. There are no words to describe the moment in one's life, when those tiny lines appear on a pregnancy test.

As a parent, you want what is best for your child. Your love for them goes above and beyond Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. You aim to give them the best of everything this world has to offer. But have you ever stopped to wonder how your behaviour might inadvertently be influencing the person they become?


I came across a story today that literally broke my heart, regarding an American boy, by the name of Seth Walsh. His story touches upon every parent's worst nightmare -- the fact that he is fighting for his life. Why, you may ask? You see, Seth is gay. The details are sketchy, but I believe for the past two years or so, Seth was constantly tormented and bullied for that fact.

Credit: RPS

This must have been all too much for young Seth to take. He was found unconscious and not breathing, almost two weeks ago, from what appeared to be an attempted suicide.


Regardless of how you feel about homosexuality, surely as a parent, you can't condone the behaviour Seth endured, simply for the fact that he was being true to himself.

Being a parent, you would have come to the realisation by now, that children are like sponges. They absorb everything. Think back to the last time your child repeated something you said, when you were sure that they were otherwise occupied and couldn't have possibly overheard you. How many times have you used derogatory words? You might not have meant to say it. You might have used them in the heat of the moment a la Stephanie Rice. It's OK. You didn't really mean what you said anyway. Right?

Wrong. It's not OK. For every derogatory word you've used to describe someone's race, religion, sexuality or physical appearance, you permit your child to believe that it is acceptable to speak that way about another human being. The act itself condones this abhorable offence, even if it was not intended to come out that way.

Credit: Maine

We live in a messed up world. I can't even tell you how many times I've had to turn away from a news story detailing a horrendous crime or natural disasters resulting in mass casualties, because of the effect it has on my emotions.

However, when the story could have easily been prevented, like the story about Seth, I stand up and take notice, regardless of how traumatic it may be.

You might not understand why I am using Seth's name so frequently. It's because he is someone. Seth is someone's son. Someone's grandson. Someone's brother.Someone's nephew. Someone's friend. Seth could be your child.



The reality is that this could very well happen to your child. Your children are the generation that will lead this world into the next century. It is crucial for you, as a parent, to educate your children to be tolerant of  all people, regardless of their race, religion and sexual orientation. I believe that there isn't  anything wrong with being gay. I believe that it is wrong for any human being to subject another to any form of bullying. I believe that unless we teach our children tolerance, the world that will be awaiting them will be a very scary place. Unless they're stopped, bullying children usually grow up to be bullying adults.

I'm sure there were many reasons as to why Seth attempted to end his life. People don't decide to take their own life in response to a single instance, regardless of how painful that experience might have been for them. There could be countless reasons. Don't let your children be bullied. Or even worse -- the bully.


If your child were to tell you that they were gay and for everyday that they had to live with this secret, pushed them closer to ending their life, just so you wouldn't hate them -- what would you say? Wouldn't you rather have your child be free and happy to express who they really are, rather than be miserable because they can't?


Only you can answer that question. But at the end of the day think back to that first moment, when you held your precious child in your arms, and vowed to spend the rest of your life protecting them.

Let your children know that you'll protect them.  If they’re being bullied, you will stand up for them. Don't let them hold all their emotions in because they are too afraid to tell you how they feel. Free them and maybe the world will be a little more tolerant.

Credit: UNESCO

If you need support or information about suicide prevention contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (Australia only). Outside Australia, contact your local suicide prevention hotline in your area.