Growing Children

 So I came across this quote/insight and couldn't believe how well it fit in with the post of today. As I am sure any parent can relate to how hard it is to watch our children grow each day. It's one of those moments of realization that just maybe you are doing something right. That solidification that you are accomplishing the goal of raising your children to be decent and kind humans.

My daughter, who is 14, have had an up and down relationship for quite a few years up until recently. Over the last couple of years especially, it has progressively become better. I couldn't be happier with the progress that has been made. Though sometimes it really is baby steps lol.

Last year my daughter had a rough year in school to say the least. This was the beginning of the falling out with her dad as well. She wasn't associated with the best of friends to be kind. It was a rougher school due to the location of where were living. So many variables in the equation that were playing a major role.

There were some bad choices made to say the least. This led me to pull her out of the school and have her complete the year virtually. I didn't think that she would forgive me for it. However, it was the best decision for both her and myself.

Since we relocated to a different side of the city this past April, this meant a new school, newly formed friendships. Since starting at a new school she has been doing wonderful in her classes. Her grades are astronomically higher then I have seen them and she is doing well. 

I got a text message from her yesterday at work. This message informed me that a) I should be expecting a call from the school and b) she screwed up, followed by about 4-5 sorry. As my anxiety swings into full gear I am biting my nails wondering what the hell happened.

Phone call comes through from the vice principal of her school and everything is explained. Needless to say the reason that I pulled her from school last year reared its ugly head. I was holding my breath knowing darn well that it could be a suspension or expulsion. However since it was the first incident she has had at her school she got her final warning. So bullet dodged in a way. I was also informed that she had told the VP that she (my daughter) mentioned that we had a very close relationship and that she was extremely transparent with me. I am not going to lie, that made my heart melt just a little. 

That is all that I have ever wanted with both of my kids. To have that closeness, and feeling of safety.

When she got home she told me everything that happened and didn't try to worm her way out of it, or lie about the events. We had  good talk and of course consequences were given. The major thing that had shocked me was the fact that it wasn't a list of excuses or mistruths. 

She knew right off the bat that she made a mistake and took ownership for it. She finally hit that point where she felt safe and secure enough to tell the full truth. 

When I was discussing with my other half, he had said to me that I was "nicer" about it then he would have been. The one thing that I had to remind myself and him was that there was real progress in the fact that she was upfront with the mistake and came forward before I was blindsided with it.

This is one of those cases where I am feeling relieved in the fact that she knows she is a safe environment and can come to me about the hurdles she is trying to overcome and know that there isn't that judgement. The decisions she makes still have those consequences attached to them, but the lies don't need to be added anymore.

It really was one of those moments where I could look in the mirror and tell myself that maybe, just maybe I am doing alright raising these tiny humans. Tiny humans that are no longer so tiny.