The beauty of parenting is that it often unfolds not in planned conversations, but in the tiniest, unexpected moments—when your child does something innocent yet significant… and suddenly, your heart knows: This is a teaching moment.
The other day, I had one of those moments with my 6-year-old son, Hitarth. He did something that touched me & melted my heart.
He kissed a girl his age because she had gotten hurt. Not out of mischief, not with any wrong intent, not because he was copying something, but purely out of care and because he felt her pain and wanted to comfort her. It was his pure, little heart reacting with care, in the only way it knew how.
And honestly? My first emotion was pride.
It showed me how deeply empathetic he is—that his first instinct when someone was in pain was to comfort them. He didn’t laugh, ignore, or walk away. He cared. And he showed it.
But right after that pride came a soft inner voice that said:
This is your chance to teach him something bigger.
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So I sat beside him at night & said:
“Hitarth, I love how kind you are. It’s wonderful that you care when someone gets hurt. That’s what makes you special. But sometimes, people may not feel okay with being kissed—even if it’s out of love. Next time, you can ask, ‘Are you okay?’ or say something kind, or even give a high five. That’s also a beautiful way to show you care.”
And he listened—with those wide, understanding eyes only a child has when they feel safe and respected.
Then Came His Innocent Question: “Can I ask them if I can kiss?”
And that one question opened the door to one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had with him.
Because it wasn’t just about a kiss anymore.
It was about boundaries, consent, and how we express love and empathy in a respectful way.
So I replied: “No beta, we shouldn’t ask for a kiss, because not everyone feels okay with it—even if we ask politely. There are better, more comfortable ways to show someone we care. Like saying something sweet, offering help, or just being there for them.”
Then the next question, you know how kids are;
He Asked, “Can I Kiss Aadi? He’s small, and I love him a lot.”
Aadi is our neighbor, a younger child Hitarth adores. They’re very close, and often play together like brothers.
I thought for a second—and said: “Yes, you can kiss Aadi, but only if he is okay with it. Some children are fine with it, some are not—and that’s okay. But remember, we don’t kiss other kids, even if they’re younger, whether they’re a boy or girl. Because everyone has the right to feel safe and comfortable.”
Finally, he asked, “Can I hug them?”
His next question came like a puzzle piece completing the picture.
And I replied, “Yes, hugs are okay, but only if the other person says it’s okay. We always ask or look for signs if the other person is comfortable. We never force a hug or a kiss—even out of love.”
He nodded. I could see that he was processing every word.
And I knew that while he may not understand it all today, the seed was planted.
What This Moment Taught Me as a Mom
This little interaction reminded me that Parenting isn’t about correcting love—it’s about shaping it.
Love isn’t wrong. Expressing it isn’t wrong.
But understanding how to express it safely and respectfully? That’s what we need to guide them through.
That day, I didn’t just teach him about kissing or hugging.
I taught him about consent, boundaries, and the importance of respecting others’ feelings—no matter how small or innocent the situation seems.
Parenting is not about stopping love.
It’s about shaping it in a way that protects everyone’s emotional and physical comfort.
At six, our children are full of emotion, affection, and curiosity.
It’s our job to:
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Validate their feelings without shame
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Explain boundaries without fear
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And nurture kindness without letting it turn into discomfort for others
✨ A Lesson for All of Us
Whether it’s a kiss, a hug, a touch, or even a compliment—these are moments where children learn how to be human.
And as parents, we are their first teachers of consent, empathy, and emotional responsibility.
So the next time your child asks you a seemingly innocent question like,
“Can I kiss them if I ask?”
Don’t rush to say no with fear or anger.
Pause. Sit beside them.
And use that question as a window—to shape a heart that knows how to love kindly, with respect and compassion.
Because that’s the kind of love the world truly needs.
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