The Right Thing

When I see that look on your face, and I know something’s bothering you, it breaks my heart. I keep trying to tell you that the sooner you share what’s wrong, the better you feel, and I think you’re starting to understand. When you hold things inside, they just sit on your chest and fester and make you feel worse.

You must let it out.

When I was tucking you in the other night and I could see in those emerald-green eyes that something was really bothering you, I’m so glad you finally told me, even though it’s never easy to let it out. I hope I said the right thing. This motherhood thing isn’t easy and I just hope I’m doing a good job.

I hope the right thing was telling you that you’re perfect just the way you are. That you are strong, you are healthy, you are a fast runner, you are the most active kid I know and THAT’S what matters. That you are so smart, so kind, so loving and so GOOD and that’s what matters. I hope I gave you some good examples of people who don’t care what others think and are just themselves and that is awesome. I hope I said the right thing.

Last night, when those emerald-green eyes told me something was bothering you again, I was glad to hear you tell me your worries. I tried to tell you that the girl is probably picking on you because she likes you, but even I know how dumb that sounds. I bothers you and that’s what matters. It doesn’t matter the reasoning behind it. I listened while you told me everything. Then I made you look me in the eye while I told you that I’m ALWAYS here for you. No matter what. You always have me, Dad and Amma to talk to. Always. Even if you think it’s something too horrible to share, we will listen and we won’t judge. If you’re drunk at a party, you call me and what will I do? “Come pick me up,” you said. If you’ve made a bad choice that you know we won’t agree with, tell me anyway. I will listen. No matter what it is, no matter how old you are, I will always be here and always listen and never judge.

You’re the best part of me, the best part of Dad, the most amazing boy I know. I just hope I said the right thing.

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8 responses to “The Right Thing

  1. Oh this is just tugging on my heart. I don’t know how many times I look into my boys chocolate button eyes and know something is bothering him. He is 13 and doesn’t like to share. What you said sounds like the perfect thing to me. Just let them know we are there. We can’t always fix it but we can ALWAYS be there . hugs for you both xx

  2. Oh this is so hard! I remember being a teenager and my mother telling me I could tell her anything… but I didn’t. I kept so much in. I hope it will be different with my kids, but we just do the best job we can. It sounds like you’re doing everything you can to let him know you’re always there. Even if he goes silent for a little while, it will just be a phase, and he will open back up to you again. Hugs!

  3. I do believe you said the right thing, but I am speaking from a mother’s perspective. From a kid’s perspective? I guess nothing is right until the pain stops. But he has you there and he knows you will listen to everything. Being a kid is hard, and being a mom to a kid is harder.

  4. I’m so sorry that things are tough for him right now. Life is so hard at any age but being young can suck so much. You’re an amazing mom and he’s lucky to have you.

  5. That’s the hard part, when you know they are hurting or upset but you can’t get them to talk with you. I’m glad he opened up and shared his concerns. It’s important that our children feel safe in talking with us. I’m sure you had the right words for him.

  6. I’m sad that someone made your son sad. He’s such a peach.

  7. The thrills and the challenges of being a parent. I’m certain you said what he needed to hear. You are a wonderful mother that way. I hope that he finds that smile that you love so much.

  8. Pingback: Adolescence or What? | Elastamom's Excerpts

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