The Breaking of a Mother's Heart

It was raining on Friday as Noah prepared to leave for school. While eating breakfast, he asked if he could wear his "Mickey Ponch" to school. "Your what?" I asked. "My 'ponch'. You know! That we got in Florida for my birthday? It has Mickey on the back?" "Oh, right. Your ponchO. Of course you can wear it." "Oh, goodie!" he exclaimed, "Ian is going to think it is so cool!" I went up and got it fro the closet and helped him put it on. We had a lot of discussion about what he was to do with his backpack. He couldn't put it on his back because it would cover up the Mickey and he desperately wanted Ian to be able to see it. I assured him he could just carry his backpack in to school this once without any real repercussions. We got to school and he jumped out of the car and ran inside.

When I went to pick him up, he came out of his classroom very slowly looking down and kicking stones. "How was your day, Buddy?" I asked. And then he started to cry. I asked what was wrong as I cradled him in my arms. "It was okay," he whispered. "But all my friends made fun of me." "Why would they do that?" I asked. "They said my poncho was dumb. And when I went to put it on for recess they made fun of me and called me 'Grandpa' because my coat was so long." I took his hand and we made our way to the van. I assured him that his coat was actually pretty awesome and that he looked very handsome in it. The mothers I had been visiting with before he came out all agreed but he told me they didn't really count.

Oh, boy. What a miserable day!! Suddenly I found myself taking pity on those parents who are accused of fighting their children's battles. I mean, really, could I have been to blame if I had gone in and punched those kids right in the nose? Don't worry - I wouldn't have actually done it. But the thought did cross my mind. Briefly. He didn't mention it again and when we put him to bed that night he didn't seem as upset about the whole episode - not as upset as his mom, I should add - but we did mention that we hoped he would remember what it felt like so that if he were ever on the "giving end" he might think twice about being mean to someone else. If he can learn that lesson, I guess something good came out of it. As for now, the poncho is back on the closet shelf and he has informed me that he doesn't ever want to wear it again.

Remember at the beginning of the school year when I showed you how proud he was to wear his entirely red outfit and Britt wondered when they would stop wanting to dress fun? I fear that day may have arrived. So sad... Also make me wonder, if I can't handle a situation like this, what is it going to be like as he gets older? Maybe we will toughen up together. Please tell me it is so, otherwise, the first girl to break his heart better just watch out... He's got his mama on his side.