Pay it forward…
Winter never makes me feel like a good mother. With all of the time spent inside, I feel like all of my conversations with LJ start with don’t.
Don’t jump on the couch, it’s not a trampoline.
Don’t run in the kitchen, I just washed the floor and it’s slippery.
Don’t throw that in here, you’ll break something.
It makes me wonder if I’m teaching him the lessons he’s supposed to learn, or just following him around telling him what not to do…
Last week, a friend and I took our boys to a local gym to let the boys burn off some excess energy. They all take classes there once a week and have learned how to use the trampolines, bars, pommel horse, etc. The gym also sets up several inflatable slides and bounce houses.
At one point, LJ was about to jump into the foam pit before another child was out of the way and I called his name loudly. The mother standing next to me looked over at me and smiled. “Is LJ your son?” she asked. I nodded hoping he hadn’t done anything naughty like jumping on her child in the foam pit.
“We were all just talking about him over there,” she indicated the inflatable slide.
“Oh?” I said bracing for whatever was coming next.
“Yeah, we were all saying how considerate he is of the kids who are younger than him. He was really polite and kind to them. What a nice boy.”
I wanted to hug her right then and there next to the trampoline.
It seems like so many times other mothers are quick to point out our shortcomings, whether to our faces or behind our backs. How nice to hear something positive, something that says hey, you’re doing a good job.
This week I’m paying it forward. You there – yeah, you reading this…you’re doing a good job! Your kid/s are going to turn out just great and you deserve the credit.
(Pass it on.)
Great Blog – thanks for sharing!!
If you saw me today, I don’t think you would say that – grrrr.