I've been visiting my son, daughter-in-law and grandson and this morning, before I left for home, we were talking about how they don't want the baby to be teased and hope family doesn't not do that. My daughter-in-law felt she was teased by her two older sisters and other family, and it hurt her. I told her Buddhists are super careful about right speech and my teacher did not believe in teasing ever. I said I've decided, in consultation with my present teacher, to search my intention and be aware of teasing: the tone, the level of trust, the ability to stop it on a dime if it feels uncomfortable to the person I'm with. Usually, I joke about myself, not others, but with my husband and best friends we have found a way to play that is not harmful.
I'm impressed by how well she articulated her concerns and made me aware of her sensitivity on this issue. It's their baby and I follow their rules. I'm determining to be viligant. My father and brother practiced hurtful teasing at times, and when I noticed how it was directed at my mother, I swore not to participate at all and have been aware ever sense of the harm. Names can hurt more than sticks and stones, and I know it.
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