How We Manage Kids Brutal Honesty in Public

Anytime my son asked me why someone looked different, I would say "why do you have blue eyes and I have brown? No two people are the same. But we are all part of the human race, so treat people how you would want to be treated. With respect!"

Zach's character ,how he carries himself adds to his handsome demeanor.

When my daughter was 4 we passed a little girl in wheelchair flailing her arms and moving her head oddly. My daughter asked me why she was in a wheelchair. I replied that I didn't know for sure but it appeared that she had cerebral palsy. (I'm a nurse) She asked all types of questions as we walked and I answered as best as I could. So about 2 weeks later she said she wondered how Sarah was doing. Unaware of anyone named Sarah I asked who she was talking about. Her reply was Sarah Popalsey, the girl in the wheelchair! I'll never forget that moment.

I so enjoy Zach's broad thinking around his dwarfism and his overall outlook on life. He has such a balanced process.

You teach your child not to call out differences out loud or by pointing. You quietly ask questions of your Dad/Mom. Educate, but don't discourage the questions. Zach and his children are great at teaching all of us. 🙏

My son has vitiligo (loss of skin pigment that can be disfiguring.) When he started school, I had a "talk" with him attempting to prepare for the "questions." I went into great medical detail about his condition and how he should explain it to his classmates. It was a loooooong talk. One day, I asked him if anyone had asked about his skin. Of course they had- I asked, "How did you respond?" He said, "I just told them it's the way God made me." It was a simple and the most accurate response. Sometimes, adults/parents complicate explanations. I learned a lot from him that day :)

I just want to say thank you for putting up with TLC for all these years with your family to educate us on this topic. I wouldn’t have ever been exposed to differences if it weren’t for shows like yours. It just normalized this for many of us and I’m grateful for that.

I’m absolutely loving hearing how your faith helps your family! I’m a Christian too and without God I’d be lost! Zach was the one I absolutely connected with the most from the Roloff Family! Thank you both!

Tori, please let Zach finish his thoughts before you speak, please, thank you!

I live in a small rural state with not many people who have dwarfism. We moved into an apartment and there was a couple who both have dwarfism and because of your show, when I saw them I didn’t even give it a second thought. Without your show, I wouldn’t have stared because I was also taught not to do that but I may have given a second glance. The show definitely helped to educate people and teach people who may have only ever seen someone with dwarfism on TV.

I love Zach’s answer. Some parents don’t teach kids these things.

I have a son that received an autism diagnosis at 2 years old. Throughout his life I realized that Kindness starts in the home. My advice to others has always been to teach ALL your children about differences in others. Teach kindness. Teach Acceptance. I also know this. If we want this world to accept the differences in our children... they have to see them, they have to be with them, they have to get to know them. Inclusion is the answer! ❤

Zach is so PRACTICAL; SENSIBLE; & Full of GODLY WISDOM # Love & Prayers for your Family.

I grew up with one atheist parent & one devout christian parent. I think that gave me a better awareness of all the faith differences in the world, and a clearer picture of genuine kindness coming from an individual rather than it being a product of any faith alone. I've seen that there are both cruel & kind individuals everywhere, in every belief system. While my husband & I usually chose to attend a christian church, we also had close friendships with a diverse set of people from various religions and the non-religious, which I think helps prevent an isolationist "us vs. them" mentality in other areas too. Kindness is a choice. ❤

As someone who uses a wheelchair myself, I am totally fine having someone come up to me and ask me questions, especially from kids who are genuinely curious. I would rather have that than have someone just stare or whisper or be led away like they did something wrong in asking the question.

I like Zach’s simple response that is how God made him. With all the deceptions and lies nowadays is refreshing to hear absolute truth😊. Don’t change. May God bless you and your family Zach and Tori🙏💕❤️💕

My son is in a wheelchair and has a feeding tube. I was at the doctors. This mom was checking her daughter in and the little girl was hanging out in the waiting room. I was talking to my son about eating and getting his tube on to eat. She was very curious and I said would you like to see his Mickey Button where he eats. She came closer and I showed her as her mom watched on. I put it on and said now you can eat. She was like wow cool. I said everyone needs to eat my son just eats differently and that’s okay. I asked what she thought she said I eat with my mouth I said me too but Jace needs a Mickey button to eat. She said he is really happy because he was smiley and happy at am that point. Then we were called in and the mom said thank you. I said no problem. I would rather kids be educated about my soon then wonder why and no one answer. We went in for our appointment. I hope I had an impact Jon this little girls life. I would rather answer rather then have her wonder. It was a great teachable moment. ❤

I love you both, it would really be great to hear what Zach has to say without being interrupted.

I know my story isn’t that big, but I had Bell’s palsy for almost 2 months, and my right side of my face was paralyzed, and I could tell you that I was almost in tears because we went to eat at a China buffet and a grown woman was staring at me, eating and making a disgusting face, because I was struggling to eat . Treating somebody this way is not OK and so I totally agree with what you guys are saying especially adults should know better.

Tori I completely understand no one liking "negative" comments. I just have to say though, that I was so excited for this podcast because I was born with a disability. Please, let Zach finish his thoughts/sentences. I think there was so much more I could have learned from him. Love you both!