In the last month Jaren has said a few things to me that has just made me feel good as a mother. You always wonder how your doing when raising your children. Sometimes you are rewarded in small moments during the daily grind.
When soccer practices begun I was away picking up some of my other kids. As I was driving home I saw Jaren on his scooter, dressed and on his way to his practice. I thought to myself; good job, how responsible of him. I pulled up next to him and we chatted for a minute about his cool new puma shoes. As I was pulling away he turned and yelled to me, " I love you Mom!". Wow, my 11 almost 12 year old told ME he loved me and in the middle of the road and he wasn't embarassed. Yes, I almost did cry. Yes, that is tender.
This week Jaren has been home with walking pnemonia. At first he thought it was going to be cool to stay home. Little did he know how boring it can be. You can only watch so much t.v., play so much x-box, wii and computer. Yesterday we were talking and Jaren said, "You know, one of the only good things about me staying home is that I get to spend time with you." Again, WOW!!!!
When did this happen? When did hanging out with my oldest boy turn out to be so much fun? We tease, we talk, we help each other out. It's a growing relationship that seemed it would never develop. I was wrong.
This is Jaren's last year in elementary school. Next year he enters Junior High. I don't want to lose my sweet son to the tortures of that sometimes wretched place. All I can think about is what Brad Wilcox said when he got into Junior High. All the kids were saying how much they hate their parents and dogging on them. By the end of the day, he too, hated his parents. I think the only way to combat this is to have open dialog with Jaren. To warn him that things like this will be said. To tell him that no matter what, I will always be here. No matter how much you think you might hate me, I will ALWAYS be here to love, support, and comfort.
Growing up is hard to do. Being a parent and having to watch your children go through it is almost harder. You know how painful it can be. I guess you also know that the pain and anguish doesn't last forever. And really, the constants in my life were my parents. But I didn't realize this until later.
Until Jaren moves on, I am giong to work my hardest to continue to nurture our relationship. To communicate with him, to have fun with him, and to build trust and security. I love my boy.
8 comments:
What a sweet boy!!! I bet that melted your heart!!!
He really is a good boy. He was a great scout!
I love him. I am so grateful that he doesn't shy from his affection for you. You have done well by him and it shows in so many ways. We all know the days of our children loathing us are somewhere in the future but you keep perspective and keep on loving them, just as you will do. I love your sweet Jaren too.
He is a good kid and you won't have to worry about him. We all worry about our kids but because of us they seem to make it through. Kyle has made it...
That is so sweet! Your kids are so blessed to have you as a mother.
He is so cute. I remember being out on a walk with my mom one night when you guys lived in that red brick house in Provo. You were just pulling into your drive way as we walked by. Jaren was still in his car seat all bundled up in his winter gear. I couldnt get over how adorable he was, and still is.
I will always love his beautiful blue eyes that go along with his wonderful spirit of help. He is always asking if he can help when he comes to the house, usually when no one is around. Loves!
Wow, who took that picture ;) I realized on our Cailfornia trip how much he has grown up and what a fun kid he is to be around. I love that we can have real conversations now! You're doing a great job!
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