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late night worries… (a random moment from life)

Last night was one of those nights where I was reminded what is truly important in the most gentle and lovely way.

I had tucked my son in his bed and no sooner had I sat down at the computer in the next room, that I hear a faint, but persistent call of ‘Mummy-‘ I must admit to feeling tired at hearing that call so soon.

I went quickly into the dark room and asked, ‘What is it?’

He was upset, a bit tearful and he sat up and put his arms around me and said, ‘It’s just, [sniff], well, I’m not sure I’m doing a very good job of taking care of you, mummy.[sniff, weep, sniff]’

I was a bit confused and completely taken aback. When I was 8 is that what I thought of? I’m sure I was thinking about whether or not I could really fly and whether I should test this by doing more than jumping off the sofa onto a  pile of cushions when I was 8. I did lots of comforting and reassured him that actually children, and especially 8 year olds weren’t supposed to take care of their mummy or daddy…

He said, ‘but we’re all supposed to take care of each other, aren’t we? and I’m not doing it very well.’

I think my heart melted. I reassured him again, that his talking to me, playing outside with me, sitting near me, helping me cook, and even helping me with levels on games was all taking care of me.

In the end we all (the whole family) decided that we are actually all good at taking care of each other, and that we each have different ways of doing that.

I know this isn’t a typical subject to write on a blog about, but it made me stop, and just writing it in my book of children’s quotes didn’t seem enough. I am very aware that sometimes learning and life and everything happens when I am least expecting it. This was exactly one of those moments.

Photo CC licensed here: http://bit.ly/1Qd0mgV

1 thought on “late night worries… (a random moment from life)”

  1. Thanks for sharing Laura, it made me stop and think too. As parents I think we often kid ourselves that we are the ‘teachers’ but more often than not it is the children who teach us the realy important lessons in life.

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