On Sunday I was chatting to No 1 Son about movies; there isn’t anything new about this, we talk about movies, and TV, history and politics a lot of the time. But when we’d finished talking it occurred to me how much I’d enjoyed that feeling, of being able to relate to my boy about something we both find cool, and how lucky we are to have that. Sometimes we may disagree, sometimes we make each other laugh, but but talking to my son is always interesting. Such a simple thing, but it’s one of the things I enjoy most about being a mum.
Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. There were a lot of tantrums when he was a toddler and a lot of rows when he became a teenager and was on the XBox instead of revising for exams; and I’ve had to struggle – really struggle – internally to overcome my cotton wool instincts, to let him have the freedom he needs to grow.
Over the years, whenever life has been a little harder than I expected, whenever something hasn’t gone quite according to plan, the thing that has kept me going, always, is the thought of being a mum to this fantastic boy and doing everything in my power to give him the love and security he needs. He’s bright and funny and charming, and I can say honestly, without bias, that he has this incredible talent for writing; I’m not sure he’s even aware of how good he is yet. I’m so proud of everything he’s achieving, and while he’s a bit tight with his hugs, when he does hug me – and he’s 6ft 2 now to my 5ft 6 – it’s the best feeling in the world. And he’s inherited my love of travel: as I’ve said many times, being able to take him on lots of adventures and seeing the world through his eyes is one of my greatest pleasures in life. This photo – taken when we were on holiday in Lake Como, Italy, a few years back – still makes me smile, every time I look at it. I had to actually bribe him with euros to persuade him to let me take his photo at all, and then he did that naughty thing. Cheeky git 😉
When he was little I remember his Kiwi grandmother saying that when he suddenly took your hand in his, it made your heart sing. And it’s true. Being a mum, knowing I’ve played a part in raising this wonderful young man, makes my heart sing every day. Love you bub.
*This is my entry for The Gallery and the theme this week is ‘Being a parent.’
[…] it’s a bittersweet moment, knowing your child doesn’t *really* need you any more, and being SO proud of him, while at the same time desperately wanting to cling on to those precious moments from his […]
What a lovely post. Really great read.
Nice post Liz xx
Such a lovely post, and I love that ‘makes my heart sing’ So true 🙂
Awww what a lovely post. Sounds like you have done an amazing job raising this young man.
What a lovely post! So good to read you have such a fantastic relationship with your son.
Such a lovely post. So good to hear they make it through the teenage years and turn into grown up versions of the amazing people you loved as children 🙂
Aww lovely post x
What a great post. I too have teens who are taller than me and like to point it out to me at EVERY opportunity!
Weeping here! Your pride in your son shines through. xx
What a lovely post. I can’t quite imagine mine towering above me, but it isn’t going to be long