If there’s one universal fact about parenting it’s that we all fail our children to varying degrees. It’s just too damned hard a job to do 24/7 and al aye be your best self. That said, I feel pretty confident in saying I bet you are a great mom Julie.
I know it’s not meant to be a happy story, but it’s heartwarming to see the world through a child’s eyes. The most important things are a popsicle and seeing the ducks. So sweet. I understand the boy but I also understand the mom. Sometimes it’s hard for everyone.
I’m glad it landed there for you. That’s what I hoped. The mind of a child is so flexible and forgiving. It takes egregious harm to truly damage a child.
Only thing missing is the “you make life so unfair” quote, but I suppose the boy would need about 10 years to reach that phase of frustration with him mom.
Ben, I love these character views. This one was particularly really well done. What am I saying? They’ve all been really well done!
Thanks, CB! That’s very kind of you. I’m enjoying doing this series. It’s good exercise and gives me enough bandwidth to keep making progress on the new novel.
Awwwww! This is so sweet. I want to scoop this little guy up and bring popsicles and far-away California and the dad it holds all into his reach. “This is the worst day ever.” Such a great reminder of how present kids are, how things are big. All things.
I wish I could take credit for "it's the worst day ever" but that's a direct lift from our little Bella. She says it at least once a day in between explosions of pure, unadulterated joy. Thanks for reading, Kimberly.
This was hard to read. All in the series have been hard to read, to be honest, but this one is a bit too close to home... Parenting is hard. Like Julie, I hope I wasn't that mother often but for sure I was her sometimes. Although I always made sure I apologised to my daughter, I do sometimes wish I could do it all over, with more patience, more understanding.
Seeing things from the perspective of the child... heartbreaking.
It is incredibly hard to be the kind of parent we want to be every day. You don’t ever get a free pass. I’m sorry these have been hard to read, but I appreciate you showing up every week. Thank you, Sara. 🙏
This broke my heart. I may have been that woman at times. I hope not but let’s be honest.
If there’s one universal fact about parenting it’s that we all fail our children to varying degrees. It’s just too damned hard a job to do 24/7 and al aye be your best self. That said, I feel pretty confident in saying I bet you are a great mom Julie.
Me too, Julie, me too. Sometimes, it's just hard.
Yup, same. 🙏 thanks for reading, Sara.
Don’t be so hard on yourself, Julie.
I know it’s not meant to be a happy story, but it’s heartwarming to see the world through a child’s eyes. The most important things are a popsicle and seeing the ducks. So sweet. I understand the boy but I also understand the mom. Sometimes it’s hard for everyone.
I’m glad it landed there for you. That’s what I hoped. The mind of a child is so flexible and forgiving. It takes egregious harm to truly damage a child.
Also, no matter how loving a parent is, too much sugar is not good 😅.
Only thing missing is the “you make life so unfair” quote, but I suppose the boy would need about 10 years to reach that phase of frustration with him mom.
Ben, I love these character views. This one was particularly really well done. What am I saying? They’ve all been really well done!
Thanks, CB! That’s very kind of you. I’m enjoying doing this series. It’s good exercise and gives me enough bandwidth to keep making progress on the new novel.
Awwwww! This is so sweet. I want to scoop this little guy up and bring popsicles and far-away California and the dad it holds all into his reach. “This is the worst day ever.” Such a great reminder of how present kids are, how things are big. All things.
I wish I could take credit for "it's the worst day ever" but that's a direct lift from our little Bella. She says it at least once a day in between explosions of pure, unadulterated joy. Thanks for reading, Kimberly.
This is pretty adorable. Love the end, that classic childhood ability to just immediately dissociate into something else.
They do have an amazing ability to do that, right? Thanks for reading.
Oof, parenting is hard & being a child is hard, too
Both are true. Thanks for reading, Robin.
This was hard to read. All in the series have been hard to read, to be honest, but this one is a bit too close to home... Parenting is hard. Like Julie, I hope I wasn't that mother often but for sure I was her sometimes. Although I always made sure I apologised to my daughter, I do sometimes wish I could do it all over, with more patience, more understanding.
Seeing things from the perspective of the child... heartbreaking.
It is incredibly hard to be the kind of parent we want to be every day. You don’t ever get a free pass. I’m sorry these have been hard to read, but I appreciate you showing up every week. Thank you, Sara. 🙏
Well written, as always, but this story made me sad, sad, sad… 😢
Thank you, Rose.