Tonight when I put Jude to sleep, I kissed him good night a thousand times and hugged him as I do every other evening. And as children do, I was called back after about five minutes…
“Mommy, please can you come here… I need to tell you something”
When I entered his room and approached his bed, he said “come here”, as he held his arms out wide open. I embraced his beautifully large and welcoming demonstration of love… and as we lay there hugging each other I asked him what he had wanted to tell me…
“I don’t want to be a grown up mommy” he declared, as he started to sob.
Well, DAMN!
Now, I will take my hat off to my son at the best of times for his insanely eye opening maturity and mind blowing “connectedness” to things on a higher level – but shit! – This was a disturbing statement to hear from my eight year old child… especially at bed time which is when he always “contemplates the larger things in life”.
Why does this disturb me?
Because he is right!
Being a grown up absolutely SUCKS for the most part!
Yes, yes, yes… we have the freedom to make our own decisions ****cough* (or do we?)*** but other than that… what do we have?
I will tell you what we have… we have bloody stress! Unless you are born into a chain of plastic resembling the kardashians, then from the time you wake up until the time you close your completely depleted eyes at the end of the day – you are exhausting every creative and persistent inch of yourself to try and simply make ends-meat so that you can afford your family and children the best you can give them… you know – what they deserve!
Earlier this evening, Jude had watched his regular “Sunday night movie” and we had selected “Hugo” which seemed a pretty harmless old school story – but possibly a little too harsh for his soft soul. I had not thought anything of it at the time as the “cover depiction” seemed like a fun looking adventure and it was in the “family” category – but half way through he said he did not want to watch it anymore. I honestly felt like the WORST mother ever! Hey, I am human too… but I can be thankful for the amazing sensibility that my child has (if not me… hehe)
Obviously, I reassured my little boy that being a grown up can be a lot of fun but also that he needn’t worry his beautiful little head about such boring things - and that he has a very, very, VERY long time to go before he will be an adult.
The beautiful child that he is, he took that advice – kissed and hugged me once more and then went off to dream land, no doubt contemplating the slightly more optimistic road ahead, knowing that he has childhood in his grasp for some time longer…
But I, mom, walked step by step back down to the lounge feeling a little less optimistic…
I hate the fact that my little boy worries about such things and I also hate the fact that for the most part, he is bloody right! ”Adulting” can honestly suck! Lol
I hate lying – so I will never lie to my child, but I am also a parent and I do not want to taint his little outlook – although, to be honest… I think he is a little too wise for any ”wool over eyes” scenario.
I am what I would like to consider a relatively positive individual – and this is only because I have conquered a MONUMENTAL amount of negativity and challenge, but it does sadden me to think that children are starting to look up at adulthood with dread – and for good reason.
This world has become so ridiculously taxing on our minds, bodies, hearts and souls that we are all like zombified herded sheep. Thinking we have choice, when for the most part, we don’t – we are just bloody hypnotised and conditioned!
BUT –
And yes, it is a super-sized one, because although I can absorb and digest the emotions of “not so positive” situations and/circumstance - I am definitely more of a “silver linings” kinda girl…
I am ETERNALLY grateful that I have such a wise little boy. At the age of 8, he is seeing this world for what it is, and this means that he will be far more inclined to step outside of that “sheep pen” as he grows older… (Although to be honest – I don’t think he ever got into it)
If I look at my family as a whole, each and every one of us are free thinkers… (thank goodness!) (Hence I am here on Steemit... lol )
I can only hope that my “life adventures and endeavours” will re-assure, inspire and excite my little boy as the years move on…
When you are not a slave to the system, there is MUCH to be happy about…
And come hell or high water, I will make sure that I achieve that freedom for both myself and even more so for my son, when I am no longer around… and perhaps I shall also read the movie reviews a little more thoroughly in future… lol!!
Mommy continues to learn too ;)
Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx
Wonderful post...a couple thoughts triggered...your son is blessed to have a mother like you...no such thing as perfection and believe me...when they get older...the parental worries magnify...and I do wonder if some of his concerns about "growing up" stem from what he observes at home...does he see parents under a lot of stress...dealing with real life concerns...and expressing it in a way that he can't ignore or understand at his young age?
Children have incredible radar...we think we can "hide" things but no way...I am hearing things from my adult children about their childhood that blows my mind....so chances are...it wasn't just the movie...maybe it triggered something...but...as long as he has a parent available to give him a hug...even when he's "all grown up"...he'll realize he'll always be "mommy's little boy"...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
You are so right. I wish i could sit here and say that he sees mom bobbing around in a floral skirt baking cookies and blowing bubbles all day, but i am a business owner... in South Africa... and that is no easy bloody feat. Lol. But yes... he has all the love in the world and he never wants for anything... and he knows this... with a very gracious and beautiful little heart thankfully.
I appreciate your beautiful comment @bobreedo xxx
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
He has to grow up, nurture him in the right path, and he will grow up to remember a good mum.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Absolutely xxx
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Everything is so innocent when we were kids. Being grown up has so many irresponsibilities. Wish we were still kids, playing with our cars, dolls and balls. Not fighting for staying alive, earning money.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I agree ☺
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It's the best when we are kids
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
The good 'ol days 😎
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Tell him that growing up has nothing to do with age ... It’s just a state of mind.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This wonderful post has received a bellyrub 1.16 % upvote from @bellyrub. Please make sure to vote for my pops as a witness @zeartul,Here
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This post has received a 2.98 % upvote from @buildawhale thanks to: @jaynie. Send at least 1 SBD to @buildawhale with a post link in the memo field for a portion of the next vote.
To support our daily curation initiative, please vote on my owner, @themarkymark, as a Steem Witness
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
unfortunately he is so right, fortunately he gets things, but that's life, and we have to live it !
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Haha, my solution to this was to become a teacher so that I didn't have to fully grow up. I laugh everyday, I do silly things in my classroom everyday and have great fun on the journey. Maybe I'm crazy but I love being a grown up with a childish sole :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
He is right... being adult sucks big time :)
Can I just quote Calvin on that issue:
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This post has received a 75.00 % upvote from @sneaky-ninja thanks to: @jaynie.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hey @jaynie, I feel what you went through when your son told you that. My son is 4 and although he hasn't told me he doesn't want to be a grown up as of yet, I can sometimes sense he thinks that when he tries to act too responsibly and then feels weighed down. As his mother, I try my best to let him stay and act his age and not to ask him to act maturely so he can be free of worries but he is too sensitive. Being a grown up does suck at times, but if we as their mothers try to show them how enjoyable it is, I'm sure they'll stop worrying about it. Really liked your post btw!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Congratulations @jaynie! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
You published 4 posts in one day
You published a post every day of the week
Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOP
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Was not aware of your support confirmation system till now!
Great to see a little glimpse of your family here ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hi @jaynie
The best experiences in life are childhood experience, been an adult is though but what to do, we just have to grow up and have responsibilities thats life, jude must be such a sweet kid. With a wonderful mom obviously please never doubt your capability as a mother.
@phunke
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I'm with Jude, I don't want to be a "grown up"! Although many people might think it's a bit late for me since I'm 32, but I still just see myself as a big kid. I never really understood the "growing up" verbiage. I am me and always have been, and I don't see any specific point where I changed from what I was to what I am now. I mean obviously I've changed physically, mentally, spiritually... but its a continuation. I've always been changing and always will. When I was young I had lots of pre-conceived thoughts about what being an adult was, but once I got older I realized that there was no real profound kid to adult change that happens (or maybe I just still haven't experienced it) and me and all my childhood friends just got bigger and older, but we're still the same exact people. So I've come to see adults as just bigger older kids. I mean imagine being 90 years old, at that point wouldn't a 50 year old seem like a kid? I think its all relative according to your perception. Anyways, your son sounds like a smart kid, and he's definitely a cutie. I'm sure you feel very blessed to have him in your life!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It is important that you give legitimacy to his fear - tell him that you understand and know that it is frightening. The more he expresses his fear, the more he will be able to release it. But it's still important to say that you know there's nothing to worry about. That is, you are not afraid of yourself, but you can understand his fear.
Raising children can be the most frightening thing there is.
There is no winning recipe
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
He is a smart one ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
There is nothing like the love between a mother and a son. god bless him
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit