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Embracing the Reality That I Can’t Shield My Son from Every Little Scrape
He was in tears. In our home, raised voices are a rarity, so I felt like the worst mom ever. After a moment to compose myself and wipe his tears, I tried to explain, “I just don’t want you to get hurt, sweetheart.” He sniffed and went back to his waffle.
I know deep down that I can’t protect my son from every possible mishap, but a part of me wishes he would just… listen to me. But therein lies the problem: kids don’t always listen. Not now, and probably not when he hits his teenage years either. There will be bumps—literal and metaphorical. So, how can I guide him to make the right choices when it really matters? To hold my hand when he’s racing down the stairs? To avoid speeding on icy roads after getting his license?
As I was zipping up his coat for preschool, I reminded him, “Keep your hands back, sweetie.” But he didn’t listen. Just as I zipped it up, I caught one of his tiny fingers. Cue more tears and a wave of mommy guilt. I kissed his cheeks, wiping away both tears and worries.
“We’re having a tough morning, Mommy,” he said, settling into my lap.
“It’s not so bad—it’s just a scratch,” I reassured him, hoping for a future filled with only minor scrapes.
There’s a quote by Elizabeth Stone that often resonates: “To have children is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” It’s that, and so much more. It’s like watching your heart navigate a busy highway in a game of Frogger. You don’t have the controls; all you can do is use your voice and set a good example. “Listen to me,” you plead. And sometimes, they just won’t.
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Summary:
Navigating motherhood often means accepting that you can’t protect your child from every scrape or mishap. It involves a delicate balance of guidance, patience, and recognizing that kids will inevitably make their own choices, even if it means facing some bumps along the way.