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Thursday, December 15, 2011

To Build A Bear: Raising A Boy

 So I'm sitting in my bedroom watching "Dinosaur Train" with my son as he lay on his stomach with his palms resting under his chin. Watching him, I'm gawking at him amazed at the notion that I HAVE SON! I often reflect on the day I went into Labor with him - the whole experience was amazing from start to finish.  I literally left my baby shower after rushing to make it through opening all my gifts (due to my contractions getting stronger) and drove to the hospital which was directly across the street. I was due to deliver there so it couldn't have worked out any better.

From birth I've been smothering my son with kisses and hugs while tending to his every need including kissing and bandaging all his boo boo's (toddler wounds) along the way.  I FIND MYSELF EXTREMELY OVERPROTECTIVE over him.  He's like the favorite teddy bear that no one can touch!  I love my little man so much but I also know right now at his age of two he's absorbing and learning at a rapid pace.  He's transitioning from the clumsy toddler into my little spartan, full of strength and constantly exploring all things around him.  I don't want him to solely rely on me to always be there to nurture his every need...I WANT HIM TO GAIN HIS OWN INDEPENDENCE and lean how to manage his own feelings...discovering who he is as he transitions into manhood.  

I know he has a long way to go before he reaches his adolescence years but living in this hostile world that exists today can cause us parents especially single mothers to shelter our sons- not allowing them to be the little rambunctious boy(s) they are designed to be. It's not easy but I'm taking baby steps allowing him to be adventurous, exploratory and curious without me always intervening. I constantly remind myself that one day he will be climbing trees and I will not be there for every fall. So I'm learning to not react so quickly and allow him to discover who he is as he matures and build confidence in himself.

Gosh he hasn't even played him first football or basketball game and I'm already thinking about him leaving me...LOL!

I CAN'T SAY IT ENOUGH....I JUST LOVE MY LITTLE DUDE!