"You can't wait until we go to school again", my daughter says matter-of-factly and out of the blue.
I stutter a response.
"No, no, I just...I mean...school is a good...I'm...not as good."
She waits patiently.
I try again.
"Boose, I love having you guys here, but I know that you don't get as much excitement or opportunities to learn new things when you're with me."
She protests, "We learn lots of things. You're our most important teacher."
I sigh and look down at my hands. When did she get so fancy and philosophical?
"Boose, I'm sorry if I've made you feel like I'll be happy when you guys go back to school. I'll miss you guys so much while you're gone. The last few weeks have been rough, and I haven't been handling them well. I love you, your sister, and your brothers more than anything else in this world. I've just been grumpy and unaware of my blessings."
She smiles, "That's okay. Will you let me help you clean the kitchen?"
And I'm left with a hint in the back of my head that all of this has been an attempt to get me to spend more time with her. So I wash and she loads and we talk about school starting. Things she's concerned about. Things she's excited for.
And I become very grateful that cranky mommies get second chances too.
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8 comments:
How wonderful. Such a great moment to have with her. They come so few sometimes.
Kids are so great at giving us those second chances. That is so precious! This says a lot about you as a mom and your relationship with your children.
I have had many wonderful talks with my kids while working together in the kitchen. Those moments are precious and are some of my most favorite memories of time with my children.
Awww...that is such a sweet story. I will readily admit that I'm looking forward to my kids starting school. They have been so bored lately and driving me crazy with their whining and bickering. Only 5 more days to go!
I'm with you, girl! My kids have needed a better Mom all week. I'm just ready.
My kids were so excited to leave me!!! They love hanging out w/ me, but there's only so much housework & sewing they can handle.
She sounds so sweet.
What a sweet, sweet story. She is really growing up it seems. Yes, thank God for second chances...and third..and well, you know. =)
Oh how I love those second chances
What a sweet story, thanks for sharing it with us. Kids are so perceptive and can pick up on so much. How precious that she can come to you and talk openly and how sweet that she so readily gives you a second chance. Lots of life lessons for us mommies there in Boose's response.
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