"Have you got clean underwear?"
"Yes, Mom."
"How about your toothbrush?"
"Yes, MOM."
"Belt? Black shoes? Pajamas?"
"Mom, I don't wear pajamas; I'm wearing shorts to sleep in. And, yes, I have all of those."
"Black socks? Will it all fit in the suitcase? Did you remember toothpaste? Do you think you will get hungry? How about snacks? Will you know what to wear, when? Remember you must wear a white t-shirt under your dress shirts, and black socks with black pants. Also - don't eat or drink anything from the mini-bar, it costs a fortune. Do your homework. Don't forget to be polite, friendly, but watch out for yourself. Watch your curfew, don't go running by yourself...I know trace qualifiers are Monday. Pick up after yourself, don't leave the place a mess. Be ready to go on time, shower, brush your teeth..."
What more can I tell my fifteen year-old as he heads off on a weekend field trip with DECA? I guess these situations are a chance for him to figure things out...and he'll be fine. It'll be me who will be a little lost this weekend.
"Do you have a wallet? Did you put the cash in it? Can you keep it safe?"
"MOOOOOM!"
"I love you!"
Enunciation
7 hours ago
Oh, I so feel this inside my heart! My 12-year-old is already acting more like a teen than I care to admit. We do keep loving them. And I am sure they love us deep down. I love how you showed this through your many words/worries and his very few responses. MOOOOOOM is the clincher! But the ending is what grabs me.
ReplyDeleteThese are all good questions, Ellen! We should keep a log of ALL of the good questions we need to ask our fourteen-year-old sons, any time they leave our side. Not kidding.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of my father-in-law, "once a mom, always a mom." I'm a mom, but my mother and mother-in-law still go through these kinds of questions with my husband and me. Your slice gets to the core of what it means to be a mom: we love our kids and want them to do well and to be safe. I love your last line!
ReplyDelete