Well, this may be bragging. But I just want to write it down.

As you all know - all 3 of you who read the blog still - that I'm not about bragging normally.  I try to keep it real because being a mother is real.

It's hard enough to be a mother without high standards of motherhood perfection out there.  The last thing I want to be is that!

But I want to write this down for when I am having a bad day or when Michael decides to push over an entire display at the grocery store or whenever things are not looking good.  I need to pull out this blog post for a little pick-me-up.

One thing I did not mention about Michael's parent-teacher conference is what his teacher, Mrs. DeColli, told me.

After showing me how Michael's handwriting had progressed and how he was doing well, she told me, "You are a blessing to your child.  You have helped him develop this love of learning that will blossom as he grows older in high school and college.  You will see the fruits of your efforts as he grows."

I was so humbled and happy to hear this.  As a parent, you go in day in and day out - wondering if what you are doing is "right."  And having your child's teacher tell you this, makes you feel like you did do something right.

And from Mrs. DeColli no less.  She is a NO-NONSENSE-tell-it-like-it-is teacher.  She doesn't sugar coat ANYTHING.   After Michael's playdate last Friday, I found out she told the other 2 parents:

"Well, you are always so perfect with the perfect hair/makeup/clothes - it's no wonder your son feels the need to overcompensate and be perfect as well to live up to you."

"You need to stop doing everything for your child.  She is capable and you are not setting her up to be independent if you keep helping her do things she can do for herself."

When one of the moms tried to ask me what Mrs. DeColli told me, I hurriedly switched the conversation and was thankful no one noticed.

The last thing I want to do is brag or think I know the "best" way to raise a child.  I've been questioned about my decisions, and I've been chastised about whether or not I can take good care of my own child.  It is hurtful, and I never forget.  So  I always feel like the mom who drops the ball 9 times out of 10 and makes poor decisions.

So yes - I feel the need to document this not because I feel the need to brag.  But because I just needed one moment recorded where I did not mess up.  Or at least not yet.  There's still many more years including adolescence to see what happens.  Only God can hold those years in His most capable hands where I hope the foundation of communication and decision making that we are creating now will work well.

Oh - one last thing.  Michael told me the other day:
"Mrs. DeColli told the WHOLE class that if they had a question or needed help figuring something out that they could also ask ME to help them."

I asked to see, "Well - was it just YOU or was there a team of you who understand and can help?"

"No, just me.  No one else."

And in my mind I think - don't get too big for your britches, boy.  There are only 18 kids in your class.  And we live in small town rural PA.  It's not THAT big of an accomplishment!  But out loud, I said,

"Well, that's cool!  I hope you are proud of yourself and are helping your classmates out!  Sounds like an important job!"