There's no question that family drama - be it parents fighting or divorce - leaves deep scars on children, nor do they always fade with time. According to one study, its negative effects can be felt well into the teenage and even adult years.
What's worse is all too often, those children suffer in silence. However, one little girl's plea to her bickering parents became a major wake-up call to her mother.
Per the Daily Mail, Cherish Sherry of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada was in the midst of a petty fight with her ex over a fallen shoe rack in the garage when she was suddenly interrupted. It was none other than her 6-year-old daughter Tiana, who had had enough of the antics.
And so, the girl took her mom inside, sat on the stairs and gave her a lecture on love.
Separation anxiety
"Mom, are you ready to be his friend?" Tiana asked her mom with a stern look.
Cherish answered "yes."
Tiana then implored her parents to swap hostilities for hugs.
"I don't want you and my dad to be replaced and meanies again. I want you and my dad to be placed and settled and be friends," she said.
I’m not trying to be mean. I just want all of us to be friends and if I can be nice I think all of us can be nice, too. I’m not trying to be mean but I’m trying to do my best in my heart, nothing else than that. I want you mom, my dad, everyone to be friends. I want everyone to be smiling…
- Tiana
At the end of her lecture, her mom tells her, 'Thank you, Tiana,' and they share a hug and kiss.
Powerful reaction
Shocked by her daughter's eye-opening words, Sherry was moved to tears.
"I was stunned by it," she said. "She is teaching me. Woke me up."
Sherry wasn't alone, as the video was seen over 11 million times. To no surprise, viewers were touched.
"What a precious soul! Precious gift she is to the world. I honestly don't think I've ever been so moved," posted one.
Another applauded Tiana for saying the quiet part out loud.
And people don't realize what effect it has on our children when all they hear is negative fighting. ..they don't miss much...and now you heard it from one...Her video has touched my heart and I'm sure many other hearts...Hugs and kisses to your daughter...she is one smart little lady.
- Facebook commenter
Yet another thinks Tiana's message needs a bigger audience, while hinting at a future career.
"Your daughter is AMAZING. We have watched her 'smile and be friends' video several times. Our whole family thinks they should put her charge of the United Nations. World peace just might be possible with her lecturing world leaders. "
The truth comes from the mouth of children
As adults, we have so many filters to the world. We also develop ways to justify some of our actions that, let's be honest, shouldn't be.
Oh, but innocent eyes don't lie. When Tiana saw her parents butting heads, she saw negative energy poisoning a happy family and she spoke up in the purest way possible.
When adults lose their way, we're lucky to have big-hearted children like Tiana in our world to bring us back to what matters most.
