A Story
This is a story about when I finally knew I’d been a good mother.
Early in his freshman year of college, our son Andrew made friends with a group that would stick together throughout their four years at GW. One of the guys in the crowd was Chris, a terrific kid with a great sense of humor and a gentle manner. The next year the two of them became roommates, and we saw more and more of Chris. He was a laid-back kind of individual, a good influence on our somewhat hyper son.
In September of senior year, Chris came out to the group. Their reaction surprised him in two ways: First, they said, “Like DUH, Chris.” They’d already known. And second, nothing changed. It wasn’t a factor in their friendship. In fact, a couple of them went along on his first visit to a gay bar, so he wouldn’t be nervous.
Chris’s plan was to tell his parents over Thanksgiving. He was nervous. His friends boosted his courage, promising to be there for him. The week after Thanksgiving break, I asked Andrew, “How’d it go with Chris? How’d his parents take the news?” Andrew hesitated only a second before replying, “Not as well as you would have, Mom.”
Comments
I had a similar situation when my daughter was in high school. One of her friends got pregnant. Her parents made her leave home. My daughter came to me and said, "I know you would never do that to me".
Made me know I had done a good job and my kids felt/feel the unconditional love we have for them.
Since my husband and I have raised a child with special needs, it's sometimes hard to feel like a good parent. Especially when people all around are judging you as you deal with your child's behaviors in public. But I've been lucky to have two moments that confirmed that we've been good parents. When my son was dating a girl during his senior year of high school, her mother went out of her way to thank me for raising him to be so good to her daughter. My own daughter spent most of her high school career in the shadow of one of those super stars who seem to have the world by the tail. Yet my daughter told me she wouldn't trade places with her since the girl had all kinds of problems with her mother. And then my daughter went on to say that "my life is practically perfect."
I think deep down we know we've been good parents, but it's soooo nice to get that validation from our children occasionally.
You know your child knows you're a good parent when he makes a comment like that.
Congratulations on both (and I'm so sorry Chris's parents weren't able accomplish the same).
Hugs - Lurline♥
Micki