Because school break and my vacation don't always coincide, I took my 10yo to work one day last week. It was a lovely day, until someone stepped between us as we were getting off a crowded subway, and she got separated from me for an instant. She looked unsettled, and I asked her what was wrong. "Someone blew on my neck. That was creepy." And indeed it was - truly creepy. In that moment, it hit me hard that I won't always be able to protect her, and that my job as her mother is to help her learn to be as resilient as possible.
Damn, what is it with some people?!
ReplyDeleteTeaching her resilience is the best protection you can give her. Those who bounce back, who can re-frame situations, and who know how to ask for help in figuring things out in a healthy way have the best armor around.
ReplyDeleteCreepy indeed. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteCreepy indeed. But good that she talks to you about it. I was always afraid my mother would be mad at me if I told her about my early creepy experiences.
ReplyDeleteResilience is good; trusting her instincts that something is creepy or off or threatening is even better.
ReplyDeleteWow, not cool! I'm glad you took the opportunity to make it a lesson.
ReplyDeleteThose moments of realization can feel gut-wrenching.
ReplyDeleteI love what Juliet said!
ReplyDelete