proud mama...

Rarely do I boast about the Goom. Yes, I think he's amazing but all parents find their children amazing so really it's a boring conversation and usually one sided, even more boring.

For a happy life as a parent the first thing one must learn is not to compare your child with other kids and if a competitive parent comes along do not let them lead you to believe something is wrong with your child (easier said than done). It starts with "Is your child sleeping through the night?" Then moves to, "My child was walking at seven months." Next comes, "My child can say (list of words no one cares about)...." And last but not least "Sammy's been potty trained since he was one and a half." Then once all those milestones are passed you get a break until school. Then it’s "Molly got fifteen goals" Then moves to, "My child's lost four teeth." Next comes, "My child reads five chapters a night." Finally, "My child got all A's so I told her she could have a toy." It's exhausting.

I remember being a new mom and constantly wondering, is my kid all right? Is something wrong because he's one and a half and not walking? Is he saying enough words? Should he be toilet trained by now? Now I find myself wondering. Is he slow because he doesn't know what 3+1='s without using his fingers? Should he be reading chapter books? He’s not interested in getting goals, should I pull him from the team?

Then I take a deep breath (the elixir for everything) and remind myself of the promise I made when Goom was a baby that I would not buy into the idea that faster is better. Goom has his rhythm and I'm here to support him not force him.

I’ve also learned the art of discernment when it comes to friends and have only surrounded myself by the most amazing, loving and supportive people. I was also blessed with great soccer coaches this season that adore Goom’s idiosyncrasies, like running away from the ball. As I cringe on the sidelines, the assistant coach calls him genius. (He is an actor so he gets it).

So with that being said, the one thing Goom loves to do is draw, draw, draw. He doesn’t judge himself or think too much he just does it with wild abandonment.

A few weeks ago his school sent home a flyer about a drawing competition for T-shirts. One drawing would be chosen and put on the school T-shirt. Goom was excited. (He doesn’t tell me anything about school so the fact I knew about it was a big deal.) We sat down and went over what the drawing had to include and away he went. The next morning, we turned it in to the office and forgot all about it.

Until last Friday when Tinks, my neighbor and friend, told me that the finalists were chosen and I dared ask, was there a robot reaching for the stars? Yes, she said but another mom had claimed it as her sons so we weren't sure. So we asked the Goom and Tink's son and they said yes that Goom was a finalist. Goom hadn’t told me! I tell you my kid has no ego; no competitive streak in him, he lives in a quiet confidence that is envied. (Downside, he can manipulate anyone...but that’s a whole other blog.)

I still didn’t really believe it until I went into the school on Monday and there it was “E” hanging in the window. (Goom still didn’t care but I did.) I am so proud of him! Sometimes we just have to celebrate these earthly joys that are bestowed upon us.


Thank you for allowing me to indulge. (I promise it won’t happen often.)