Friday, August 29, 2008

What Makes Us Stronger


When I was in high school, I really loved English class. More specifically, I loved the writing assignments in English class. Those assignments gave my mind free reign to be as creative as I wanted. Kinda like writing this blog, actually.


What I've discovered, though, since waking up one morning to find my sweet, beautiful baby boy had morphed into a teenager, is that while I loved English class when I was taking it...... I really don't love it so much while he's taking it.


English class, and all of the writing that goes along with it, does not come easily to Jock. He struggles. And he struggles. And he struggles some more. A lot of kids would just quit. They'd walk away, knowing that at some point in their lives there will come along a new technology that will simply do the work for them. But quitting just isn't in this kid. So writing assignment after writing assignment, he diligently pushes on; and I sit on the sidelines and wrestle with myself not to just write the damn paper for him.


But as he reminds me every time I try to "boost" his papers...... Mom, my teacher KNOWS me. She knows I don't talk like that, or use longer words when a short, easy one works just as good. Trust me... she'll never believe I wrote this thing on my own if I use the word "decline" instead of "drop".


So I grit my teeth and step back into my little corner again. And I do whatever "mom" things I can to help him. I get him something to drink. I set snacks in front of him. I remind him that texting his friends isn't getting his homework done. And I don't tell him to go shut himself away from everyone so he can struggle through this on his own. Because even if I don't help boost the papers, I've realized that he just needs to have me there to boost him. He needs to remind himself that even though he knows I'll help, he does have the strength of character to make himself do it on his own. And really? I think I'm ok with being relegated to the position of his own personal endurance test. It's my job as his mother to push him to be the absolute best he can be.

Even if that means I just stand there while he pushes himself.

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

12 comments:

shutter happy jenn said...

As for me, I struggled in Math! It takes too long for me to understand all those formulas and whatever, and it would upset my dad because he was good in Math!

Here's my PSF for this week: Jenn Was Here. Happy weekends!

Karen said...

It's hard to see the kids struggle with anything. But when it's something that you enjoyed it's that much harder.

Flea said...

You've got such a great kid. :) Mine would love it if I helped boost their papers. Your boy is going very far in life, woman.

Cecily R said...

Oh, this one just makes my heart strings pull and tug and twist. And it also makes me SUPER proud of that boy of yours...even if I don't really know him.

tiarastantrums said...

oh, I love this - fantastic job momma!!

Anonymous said...

Ah, sounds like you're doing all the right things for him.

It's nice to know you have such great support and I'm sure Jock realizes he does.

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Great story and that photo is just beautiful!

Rockin Austin said...

I love photo Fridays. :) As I always tell you, you're a terrific mom.

Kidzmama said...

I can so relate to Jock. I pretty much sucked at school. My parents could only help so much and my grades suffered. I just didn't get it. But no matter what I didn't give up.

Don't give up Jock! I'm proud of you and I don't even know you!

Crazymamaof6 said...

way to go mama! it's hard i'm sure. i always have writers block when i am hand writing it. it just doesn't flow for me. BUT if i type it. i do better. has he tried that? hand written rough drafts suck. my 9 year old types his. he types better than i do anyway. so it doesn't take as long. just an idea. i need someone to keep me on task. just keep me company and remind me i'm doing something. but i can't have distractions. it's pathetic. and i hated writing stuff in highschool. i struggled. NOW? i'm totally wordy! super long wordy posts. somehow it's easy now. but i hated it back then.

Good luck to Jock! and that is awesome he keeps trying his best, and doesn't give up! WHOOHOO FOR JOCK!

and for mom being the silent supporter he needs! (even when it's hard.)

LOVE THE PICTURE THIS WEEK! and the font is FABULOUS!

Susan said...

That is so tough. Good for him for not wanting you to do it for him and for always plugging along.
Supporting him in his efforts will go a long way in his continued success.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

I would have to say that sitting back and being the cheer leader is the hardest part about parenting.