The shirt/tie set that I ordered came, and he was so excited. He had to wear it to school the next day.
I couldn’t help but be a little worried. He’s only in first grade, but these days, even first graders can be rough, right?
I thought he looked so handsome, though, and it made him so happy. Puffed up in the chest, even. He couldn’t help but pose.
My boy, my oldest, has a way of simultaneously making me laugh, making me proud, and scaring the crap out of me.
I love his imagination, so much. I love that he’s different than a lot of kids his age. I love that he’s loud, and dramatic. I love that he takes the lead on the playground, dishing out character roles to each kid like a manager doling out duties.
But I also desperately want to protect him from the outsiders that will only see the differences. The eccentricities. The kids who roll their eyes at his games on the slide and run off to play something else. Do they hurt his feelings? Does he even notice? I don’t know yet. It’s only a matter of time before I find out.
I’ll find out if they’ll make fun of my boy with the squishy cheeks and small stature. The boy that, at just shy of seven, is finally wearing clothes from the boys’ department instead of toddler sizes.
Just the other day he asked me when he would get bigger. He told me that he wanted to be bigger than everybody, but that right now he was only bigger than one little girl friend.
Or, I’ll find out if those who meet my boy and experience the force that he is, will laugh with him, and play along with his elaborate games of monsters and skeletons, or Lord Vampire, or cops and robbers. Smile when they see him, like I do. Take in his bright eyes, his fancy shirts, and see him for him. A boy full of joy and gigantic ideas.
Oh, I hope they do. I hope I worry too much.
Oh, Greta. It's so hard to watch our kids put themselves out there. The hardest part of being a mom.
He looks awesome. And wonderful. And cool. You should be so very proud.
That's exactly it, Natalie. Because you just don't know how the other kids will react! I guess it's part of letting them grow up and be their own people. He is definitely his own person, and yes, I am so proud.
Wonderful pictures to accommodate your words. I'm sure your boy will be just fine but we can't help and worry, can we? I get it. I feel the same for different reasons… about my boy, and my girls! He looks so handsome in his shirt and tie. I still have a set with a vest that I had for my boy when he was little. 🙂
I have his little tie and vest from when he was a baby, too! He has such a charming little(big) personality that he could probably wear overalls and a cut off shirt and make people smile. But, I just want people to be kind, you know?
My boys are both on the small side too. But your handsome dude looks GREAT in that tie! And the smile on his face is amazing. And I hope he keeps playing all those fun games and doing his thing, that's what makes him unique and wonderful. xoxo
He does look pretty good, doesn't he? And that smile. Oh, that smile melts me every time. I probably won't be the only one either. 🙂 Thanks, Elaine!
He looks confident and happy. That's already in his favor. He'll do well. It's natural to worry, you're his Mama. But he'll be okay. xo
I hope so. And if not, I hope his skin gets a little tougher. He's not such a good sport right now. But yes, he does have the confidence!
He's going to do just fine. He's adorable and sweet- and you as his mama will give him the confidence to do anything.
He is pretty adorable and sweet. And charming. 🙂 I hope he stays that way, and I hope I can help him along the way!
He is adorable in his shirt & tie. It was picture day at my son's school the other day and one boy showed up in a full on suit (vest, jacket, tie, shoes) which he called his tuxedo! No one teased him. I think at this age – at least in my son's class – the kids aren't into teasing someone for things like dress, but sadly I'm sure it will come. And my guy's a 'lil dude too, the smallest in his class, but according to his teacher last year, for the smallest in the class he has a way of commanding everyone's attention. Nice to hear, but I worry like you. I guess all we can do is nurture their confidence and you seem to be doing a great job!
Thank you, Jill! I hope so. And that is exactly my son–small, but attention-commanding!!
He's such a handsome little boy! He looks so confident, he will do just fine.
Oh, thank you. I hope so. 🙂
I just love the shirt and tie! He looks simply adorable and I don't think you need to worry to much about him… he is going to do awesome!
He does look adorable, doesn't he? I hope you're right, Jackie. I can see him doing big things!
It's so hard to let our babies (no matter how old they are) off in to the big, bad world where people can be mean. It's natural to worry and it makes you a good mom. Love the shirt/tie. My friend has a little boy who insisted on wearing a suit coat to school each day in first grade 🙂
Oh my goodness….I'm glad he's not the only one! I know that I dressed the way I wanted to growing up, too, and I turned out alright. 🙂 But you're right…the world is a scary place.
Aw Greta, this is beautiful!
Thanks, Jen. 🙂
I wish the world would always see our children for who they are! Your son seems like a strong little man, and he'll be able to take it even if they don't always get it.
I love his tie!
Thanks, Adrienne…I hope so!
Oh, I love him! He looks amazing.
And you know what? Not everyone will get him. People will be intimidated by his unique mind and no doubt, kids will find any number of ways to let him know he falls outside of their definition of normal. But you and I know, those are the kids being raised by parents with narrow minds and small lives.
But you see him and you nurture what makes him amazing. Who knows the incredible things he will grow to do with you as his mama?
May his little chest be always puffed up with pride in who he is.
xxx
Yes, it is true about the kids and their parents. I just hope he doesn't pay them any mind. Sigh.
Thank you, Angie, so much.
He is absolutely adorable.
And you know what?
He sounds like his so strong and dances to the beat of his own drum without reserve and that is an amazing characteristic to have.
You are nurturing his little soul and you're doing fabulous at it.
Oh, Kimberly, thank you. I hope so. He definitely rocks out to his own drum, and I love that!
[…] Sunday afternoon at the track with the kids and my mom. This time, Henry was a robber and his sisters were the cops. Or […]
Kids can be very mean in school and it always worries my heart.
I hope that he is never subjected to mean kids and that others will always see how awesome he is.