I got into a sorta conversation the other day, a conversation that was quick, actually it was just a few text messages and then later a grateful email to a completely different person. Both, conversations revolved around Mr. H, that really was the only commonality between the two, yet they really made me think, reconsider certain things that I do.
Mr. H is an extraordinary child. That being said he is still a child, even though he is uber intelligent, even though he is articulate. I have always tried to give him balance, to find a way to feed his mind while still letting him be a child. Both conversations have made me reevaluate this. I have always believed that as a child he should interact and play with children his own age, his peers. I am beginning to wonder if I am trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
Let me explain, Mr. H has a rough time with social skills, with interacting with his peers. He is much more comfortable in an adult environment. Lately, he has become seriously involved in social media. I mean, really, really involved. I have encouraged this. Why? because my baby, my child that has never fit in has found his passion, when he talks about social media or interacts in public, he has confidence and he has PASSION!! That’s right, my almost eleven year old* has discovered his passion and it is a beautiful inspiring thing.
Back to the original text, ” I don’t believe in balance the way you do”. That was it. Yet, it struck a chord, it resonated with me as I realized that in my efforts to give Mr. H a balance that I thought he needed that maybe I was stifling his passion, that maybe he is where he belongs and maybe, just maybe since I have such a special child, that I need to think outside the box to parent him. That maybe I should be let him traverse this path, instead of gently shoving him in the direction that I think he should take, perhaps I should let him guide me.
That leads to the email, an email to someone special and important. This person, inspired my son, he is the one that sent him spiraling down this path. How? To be honest, I am not sure. I think it is because his passion is so deep and so very much evident in what he does that somehow he managed to reach my son. He did what I had never been able to do, he inspired my child. He gave my son the ability to belong somewhere, to fit in and forge his own path! I will be forever grateful to this person.
As a parent, I try to do always do the right thing with my children and I am always growing and becoming what I hope is a better parent. I think that these seemingly random, completely, unrelated incidents have become a growing point for me. I was forced to step back and reevaluate how I was parenting. My role with Mr. H hasn’t changed instead I think it has become more clear. I think that now, I must follow him, let his passion run and I think that perhaps he will be teaching me. Let him do what he sees the people that inspire him do. So I thank my friends, even if they don’t realize the significance of what they have done, they have made me be a better parent.
* Mr. H’s birthday is Wednesday and he asked to go to the Placer Tweet Up!! So come join us and celebrate!!
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