And So It Begins...

I knew this moment would come...

The kids and I went to a favorite park the other day. Josh was working late so it was just me with all four of the little monkeys! While trying to watch all of them at the same time, I happened to be standing right next to the rock wall Jax was climbing on. There were three other little boys climbing the same wall. They looked to be about the same age as Jax. I listened as the boys were trying to talk to him. They were all looking at each other confused, not knowing why Jax wouldn't respond. My first instinct was to help and protect my little boy by jumping in and explaining to the boys why he wasn't responding to them. I thought about it for a second and had a realization...I needed to let my sweet little guy deal with it on his own. At six years old, I am sure this is the first of MANY similar experiences he will have to encounter in his life. I continued to listen to the boys. One of them said to Jax, "if you don't say something back to me, we are NOT going to be friends." Jax ignored him. The boy repeated himself. Jax then said, "okay" and continued to climb. The boys kept following him and continued to try to get his attention. They asked him if he was going to get down and get out of their way. Jax said, "nope" and was perfectly content doing his own thing. Finally, one of the little boys said, "he is so weird! Let's go."

It took everything inside of me to hold back and say nothing...but I know I can't be there every time something like that happens. That is such a tough realization for me. I soooo wish I could just wrap my precious angel up in my arms and never let go...but I can't...