Today when my 9 year old walked in the door after school I knew something was wrong. She didn’t say much and plopped herself on the couch. I could just tell by her face that she was upset by something.
I asked her if she was alright.
She nodded “yes”.
I knew she was lieing.
I asked again, and again she told me nothing was wrong.
So I reached out my hand to her and she stood up, as she was walking to me I could tell that tears were very close to the surface. We walked into my bedroom and I locked the door. (Nothing ruins a good cry more that a bunch of little ones barging in.)
I sat in my chair and sat her on my lap and again asked what was wrong.
The flood gates opened and I could barely make out a muffled “I was left out of everything” as she dissolved into sobs.
Talk about taring out a mama’s heart! My poor baby. My poor little girl. This is my little one who has “issues”. She struggles with just about everything and school is a major challenge for her in so many ways. She is the one I would just like to fold up and tuck inside my heart and shelter her precious little soul forever.
She sat on my lap and cried in my shoulder for a few minutes and I asked what happened, why was she left out? All I got in reply was more muffled sobs and a very wet shoulder. I pulled her back and looked in her tear stained face and told her we would take some deep breaths and she could tell me everything.
First, she told me, she didn’t get her own T-shirt back. I noticed that she was wearing a tie dyed T-shirt, but that it wasn’t the same shirt I had sent her to school with. I knew she was really excited about her shirt, she had worked hard on it in school Friday, she had used the most rubber bands and it was going to be the prettiest one there. She prattled on and on about it all weekend. So what happened? She explained that the teacher had forgotten to put her shirt in the second round of dyeing (huh? whatever!) so the teacher had given her one of the extra shirts she had made. (Why the teacher couldn’t have done my daughters shirt anyway after she realised the mistake, I don’t know, maybe she didn’t realize it until this morning…) My daughter falls into another round of sobs. I explained to her that while it was very disappointing, it could have happened to anyone it the class, that the teacher didn’t do it to her on purpose.
What else happened? Well for book review she didn’t get a worksheet, so she was left out.
Did you tell your teacher I asked?
“Yes and she got me another one.” I explained to her that it was just a mistake and it could have been anyone who didn’t get a sheet, it just happened to be her. It was just dumb luck. Although knowing my girl I am sure she was really embarrassed, she doesn’t do good at all in social situations where she is the center of attention.
What else happened?
She was really hungry at lunch and wanted seconds, and there was extra so she went to get more popcorn chicken (one of her favorites….what kind of junk are they feeding these kids?) When she got up there, they were out. I told her once again it was just silly, stupid luck and it could have been anyone. I am sure she was embarrassed and disappointed.
Well, honey, was there anything more?
Another round of sobbing and tear wiping and a good nose blow.
Yes…she stutters….on the bus I sort of burped….I didn’t mean to it just came out, and a 5th grader called me a “gross burpy girl”.
(I really had to muster all my will power so I wouldn’t bust up laughing!)
So we talked about how rude it is to say things like that and how it isn’t polite to comment on peoples bodily noises and how that is a lesson on how we should treat others.
There were some more hugs and a little more crying and some more talking. By the time we were finished she had a smile on her face and her heavy step was lighter.
Why do I tell you this silly story, that I am sure was played out in many homes and schools today? As I was sitting there holding my crying baby the thought came to me loud and clear.
That is the reason.
Thank you for sharing, I hope that the rest of the week goes better for her!
Wow, you brought tears to my eyes. Poor girl! I so agree with everything you have said, I have played out the same scenario at my house on many days. They need us just as much now as they ever did!
Poor little thing. It seems once one thing goes wrong, you feel like the whole world is against you from then on. Good job Mom!
*hugs*
Oh the younger years. They are hard. You are a very good mother and she is so lucky to have you there for her.
Aimee you are such a good mom. I swear everything I do as a mom will be a result of reading this blog. I had so many bad, awkard years of school–tell her we all go through it! We miss you at Andrew’s wedding!
Aimee,
My eyes are literally swimming with tears. Bless God for you being in your daughter’s life and for his love being exampled through you. I am praying for your little one. I was so, so, so shy in school when I was young and it made everything so hard. I don’t know if your daughter is the same way, but I’m praying for her…now people can’t get me to stop talking to them. Go figure. ;o)
Praying that tomorrow holds many unexpected and beautiful blessings for your little sweetie.
Aimee, that was a touching story. I remember my mom saying those kinds of things to me…and they meant the world to me. I am sure coming home to you and all the things you do with her give her something to look forward to.
If every child in the world had a mother like you this world would be a much better place. Your daughter is very lucky to have you to come home to and to be loved unconditionally by.
I was fine reading this post til I got to the end! Thanks for the tears and the sentiments! Another testimony for us mom’s doing what we do! I’m so glad we’re given these “ah ha” moments…so we can reflect on them when we are feeling like no one appreciates us, or we’re not doing a good job!
Bless her heart! I remember so many afternoons like that when I was a little girl. I hope she has a better week. We are so blessed to be stay at home moms!