A Sweet Arrangement

I'm on a completely different plane of parenting from many of my readers, although I think my demographic has changed over the years, as the essence of who I am has emerged through my posts.

Diaper days are long behind me. Breast or bottle no longer seems of tantamount importance. And I'm not embarassed over things that I once saw as parenting failures, such as potty training late, or having a binky until age 5.

I have older kids now. I'm not the sage veteran that some of you are, but as of today, I have 14 years under my belt. I think I've learned a thing or two. Mostly what I've learned, is that I still have a lot to learn.

But there is one thing I can tell you with confidence.

ALWAYS, always, always...be your child's strongest advocate. Their greatest champion. Be in their corner. Trust in them when nobody else does. And never be afraid to stand and fight.

Because when it comes right down to it, nobody cares as much as you do. And no other person can infuse them with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing that you believe in them.

It's hard. I won't lie. Fighting puts knots in my stomach and makes me unable to sleep. I second guess myself. I worry. I wrestle with my conscience.

But when it's all said and done, no matter the outcome, I can say, and my child will know, that I did my damndest to make sure they got a fair shake.

I can't really gives details of what I'm embroiled in right now, other than to say...BULLIES suck. It's an ongoing problem for us, because Diminutive One doesn't know how not to be a target. He doesn't now how not to be terribly wounded by the onslaught of unkindess. Blytheness is just not in his nature.

But I'm fighting. And I will keep fighting until I'm satisifed that my son is safe and happy.

I thank my Mom. She showed me how to be fierce.

When the time comes, and it will, for you to be fierce, do it with the knowledge that you are getting something right. We all, as parents, have moments of doubt and insecurity. In truth, it plagues us, wouldn't you say?

But you are never wrong when you champion the one person in the world who looks up to you the most.

Maybe, just maybe, a day will come when you need a champion. And your kid will be there, ready to fight, just like you did for them.

Champions beget champions, I suppose.

It's pretty sweet arrangement.